SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Domestic Violence

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Solicitor-General how many cases the Crown Prosecution Service has prosecuted on Merseyside that concern domestic violence which have been pursued by the police as primary complainant without the corroboration of the individual assaulted.

Harriet Harman: The Crown Prosecution Service does not routinely collect data that show the nature of the evidence on which a domestic violence case proceeds. CPS Policy Directorate is currently analysing the results of a national snapshot survey of cases finalised in December 2003. This will provide some information about the point raised by the hon. Member with regard to cases finalised in December 2003. Until CPS case-tracking systems are fully computerised, the detailed information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Serious Fraud Office

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Solicitor-General what the overall conviction rate for cases pursued by the Serious Fraud Office was in 2003.

Harriet Harman: The Serious Fraud Office's (SFO) statistical information is recorded by financial year (5 April to 4 April). Since 5 April 2003, the SFO has convicted 19 out of 29 defendants, a conviction rate of 66 per cent. The conviction rate since the inception of the SFO in April 1988 is 70 per cent. (403 convictions from 575 defendants).

TRANSPORT

Cycle Lanes

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has issued to local authorities in respect of the width of cycle lanes; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Advice on the recommended widths of cycle lanes is contained in "Cycle Friendly Infrastructure", published in 1996 by the then Department of Transport in conjunction with the Institution of Highways and Transportation and others.

Speed Cameras

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 6 January 2004, Official Report, column 216W, on speed cameras, how much money was raised in fines by the Essex Safety Camera Partnership for each of the five years prior to 2001–02.

David Jamieson: holding answer 13 January 2004
	The amount raised in fines detected by speed cameras within the area covered by Essex Safety Camera Partnership between 1997 and 2001 was as follows:
	
		Court proceedings and fixed penalties data for speeding offences detected by cameras(1) , (2) in the Essex police force area, 1997–2001
		
			  Court proceedings Fixed penalties 
			  Number of fines Total amount (£) Average fine (£)(3) Number of tickets(4) Estimated revenue (£)(5) 
		
		
			 1997 880 93,900 107 18,800 753,700 
			 1998 1,700 227,400 134 8,700 346,600 
			 1999 2,100 357,400 169 19,800 791,400 
			 2000 2,800 317,800 115 46,300 2,007,200 
			 2001 6,500 651,200 101 81,900 4,911,100 
		
	
	(1) Automatic cameras until 1998. All camera types from 1999.
	(2) Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Motorway Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways Regulations 1973).
	(3) Includes fines imposed by courts (cases where fixed penalty notices were originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court).
	(4) Paid i.e. no further action.
	(5) Estimate based on £40 fixed penalty charge to October 2000. From November 2000, the fixed penalty was raised to £60.

DEFENCE

Aircraft Carriers

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will meet the March deadline for awarding the full-production contract for the CVF.

Adam Ingram: The Future Carrier (CVF) programme is currently in Stage 3 of the Assessment Phase, which is due to continue until spring 2004. It is our intention that, at this point, Ministers will consider proposals on the overall CVF programme, and make a decision on when to proceed to the Demonstration and Manufacture Phases of the carriers. The target in-service dates for the carriers remain 2012 and 2015.

Airfield Support Service Project

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what part of his Department's budget the equipment and services to be provided under the Airfield Support Service Project will come from; and what the cost will be.

Adam Ingram: The estimated cost of the Project is some £1.2 billion over 15 years. It will be funded from within the budgets of the stakeholders involved in the project.

Body Armour

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sets of body armour have been issued by the Army since 1989; to which units they have been issued, and in what quantities; how many men served in each of those units; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Foreign Defence Equipment

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many foreign aircraft, and of what makes and type, have been hired by his Department in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Future Rapid Effects Project

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the name of the company selected to undertake the assessment phase of the Future Rapid Effects System project; how much has been allocated to fund the assessment; and when FRES is due to enter service with the Army.

Adam Ingram: I hope to be in a position to make announcements on the way ahead for the FRES programme shortly. We are planning on early variants of the system being introduced into service around the end of the decade.

Reservists

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many man training days were available to reserve forces in each of the last five years. [R]

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 26 January 2004
	The number of man training days available to the volunteer reserves varies by Service, category of reserve, unit role, level of readiness, and individual trade or specialism. In each of the last five years all volunteer reservists have had enough man training days available to qualify for bounty.

Sea King Helicopters

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Royal Navy Sea King helicopters engaged in military action in the Gulf in March 2003 were supplied with (a) night vision equipment and (b) night flying aids.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 26 January 2004
	Night Vision Goggles (NVG) can be operated only in aircraft that have been specifically modified for this role. Naval helicopters are fitted to allow operation with NVG according to their tactical role in operations. Of the 20 Royal Navy Sea King helicopters deployed to the Gulf, the 10 amphibious assault helicopters were fitted with NVG, as their operational role required.
	Aircrews are fully trained to fly at night without NVG under normal operating procedures. Safety is provided by a variety of other aids and by individual action. These include: operating procedures such as, air traffic control, awareness of hazards through radar detection, communications, lighting and lookout.

Service Personnel (Osteoporosis)

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the incidence of osteoporosis in British Service personnel and military medical auxiliaries who served in (a) the 1991 Gulf War and (b) the invasion of Iraq in Operation Telic in 2003.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence has no centralised system for monitoring and recording the health status of Service and ex-Service personnel. However, over 3,220 veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf Conflict have been seen at the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (GVMAP) to date. At the time they were seen, none had been diagnosed with osteoporosis. There are currently no data relating to the incidence of osteoporosis in those who served in Operation Telic.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bovine TB

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what liaison takes place between English Nature and her Department in relation to the potential disease status of badgers targeted for removal and relocation.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the answer on 6 January 2004, Official Report, column 249W, and on 20 January 2004, Official Report, column 1186W.
	The Department's Veterinary Endemic Diseases and Zoonoses Division (VEDZD) advise the badger licensing authorities in Defra's Rural Development Service and in English Nature, on potential bovine tuberculosis disease transmission risks associated with badger relocations. No licence is issued without first seeking advice from VEDZD.

Bovine TB

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the status is of (a) the Independent Science Group and (b) the TB Forum in relation to the control of TB; what requirement there is for her to (i) abide by and (ii) consider the advice of these organisations; and whether these organisations can veto proposals made by her Department.

Ben Bradshaw: The Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB is an advisory NDPB. Its primary objective is to oversee the design and analysis of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial. Its complete Terms of Reference can be accessed on the Defra website.
	The TB Forum aims to bring together experts and organisations with an interest in the Government's policy on bovine TB, to consider new measures which might be taken to control the disease in cattle.
	Ministers consider carefully the advice of these bodies in formulating policy. However, there is no requirement for Ministers or the Department to abide by their advice, nor do these bodies have any formal power to veto departmental proposals.

Bovine TB

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 8 December 2003, Official Report, column 217W, how many closed herds where disease prevention measures have been judged by her officials to be adequate have suffered TB breakdowns in the last 10 years.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra does not keep a record of which herds are closed and definitions of a 'closed' herd vary. Defra keeps a record of cattle births and deaths, and their movements from known locations in England, Scotland and Wales. Were a 'closed' herd to be very strictly defined, it would be possible to identify closed herds from records of holdings that only register births and deaths, but have no animal movements on. However, this could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	A survey of TB breakdowns (known as 'TB99') is under way and is designed to assess potential risk factors that may predispose herds to TB outbreaks.

Bovine TB

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 December, Official Report, columns 629–30W, on bovine TB, if she will take steps to compensate herd owners for uninsurable consequential losses arising from the TB infection, where there is clear evidence of no culpability.

Ben Bradshaw: There are no plans to compensate farmers for consequential losses after a TB breakdown.

Bumble Bees

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the relationship between the size of the bumble bee population and the size of the badger population in England.

Ben Bradshaw: Badgers are known to excavate and eat the nests of bumble bees and have the potential to exert an influence on the abundance of the bees locally.
	The Department has not commissioned any studies to assess the relationship between the abundance of badgers and bumble bees, nor are we aware of any research specifically examining this topic.

Commission on Food and Farming

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department's budget for the implementation of the Commission on Food and Farming's recommendations is to be spent in each year of its duration.

Alun Michael: The Government announced a sum of £500 million to implement the Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food as part of the 2002 Spending Review, in addition to existing spending by Defra and other Government Departments which is already being used to deliver aspects of the strategy.
	This sum covers a number of major aspects of the strategy. These include the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme (Entry Level and Higher Level) and the IT system to underpin all the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) schemes; improvements in livestock traceability and other major animal health and welfare measures; and new food chain initiatives such as the Food Chain Centre and English Farming and Food Partnerships.
	The cost breakdown is shown in the table.
	
		£ million
		
			  2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 Total 
		
		
			 Additional money to be made available via grant schemes 9 11 11 31 
			 Investment into research and new technology 1.8 1.8 1.8 5.4 
			 Development and implementation of new agri-environment and rural development schemes, including IT development costs 27 54 151 232 
			 Development and implementation of new Whole Farm Approach to reduce bureaucracy and burden on farmers 2.7 7 8 17.7 
			 IT systems to support livestock identification and tracing 20 48 68 136 
			 Investment to reduce the likelihood and impact of an animal disease outbreak 25 45 45 115 
			 Total537.1

Dairy Farming

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the future economic viability of the dairy industry in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: Low farmgate prices for milk have caused considerable problems over the last few years and the dairy sector faces considerable problems in adjusting to the new conditions that will be created by a reformed common agricultural policy. The Government recognise these difficulties, but believe that the UK dairy sector has a sustainable future and will work alongside the industry to facilitate and support its development in line with its "Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food". The UK has a comparative advantage in terms of climate, farm efficiency and size over many of its competitors. If the dairy supply chain can work together to maximise this potential and address some of the difficulties it faces, then there is no reason why it should not succeed.

Departmental Staff

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of staff employed within her Department are over 55 years of age; and what (a) number and (b) percentage of staff recruited over the last 12 months are over 55 years of age.

Alun Michael: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) on 20 January 2004, Official Report, column 1130W.

EU Regulations (Fruit)

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the impact on imports of bananas from Commonwealth nations in islands around Jamaica arising from the decision of the Law Lords on the EU regulations relating to the shape of bananas.

Alun Michael: The House of Lords judgment in the Asda case has no bearing on imports of bananas. It confirms the validity of UK enforcement powers and has no effect on the EU Marketing Standards, whether for bananas or other fruits and vegetables, which are directly applicable under EU law.

Fisheries

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what difference there is in mortality rates in round fish escaping through diamond mesh compared with square mesh.

Ben Bradshaw: Experiments to compare the mortality among fish escaping from diamond mesh codends, square mesh codends and diamond mesh codends fitted with square mesh panels have been inconclusive. This is because the techniques used were at an early stage in development. No significant difference in mortality for cod or any other gadoid was evident between the different gears.

Fisheries

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated mortality is in immature cod entrained by commercial trawl nets which escape through the mesh.

Ben Bradshaw: Experiments conducted by the FRS Marine Laboratory at Aberdeen and other European institutes indicate that the survival of immature cod 25m or more in length escaping from trawl cod-ends is likely to be high (>90 per cent.).

Fisheries

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the primary foods consumed by (a) haddock and (b) cod in the North Sea are; and what food they consume if their primary foods are not available or in short supply.

Ben Bradshaw: Cod feed opportunistically on many species of invertebrates (e.g. worms, molluscs, brittle stars, crabs, shrimps and prawns) and fish (e.g. whiting, cod, haddock, Norway pout, plaice, dab, sprat, herring, and sandeel). Haddock feed similarly on a wide range of invertebrates and a rather narrower range of fish. In young gadoids, invertebrates predominate, but as fish become older the amount of fish in their diet increases. Diets vary very considerably in detail from one place, season or year to another. Cod and haddock may concentrate on one or two individual prey species when these are very abundant, but when such prey become scarce, cod in particular can move and switch from one species to another.

Fisheries

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated cod by-catch from the industrial fishing fleet in the North sea was in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) percentage and (b) tonnage.

Ben Bradshaw: The by-catch of cod in industrial fisheries in the North sea comprises a part that is sent for reduction to fishmeal and oil, and a part that is sorted and landed for human consumption. As reported to ICES, these represent less than 1 per cent. of the total quantity of North sea cod landed.
	
		North sea cod: industrial by-catch, in weight and as a percentage of the total international cod landings (ICES, 2003)
		
			  Reduction Human consumption 
			  Tonnes Percentage Tonnes Percentage 
		
		
			 1998 400 0.27 530 0.36 
			 1999 100 0.10 230 0.24 
			 2000 60 0.08 200 0.29 
			 2001 100 0.20 125 0.25 
			 2002 30 0.06 100 0.19

Fisheries

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the scientific expectancy is of fish stock improvement in the North sea following the 10 per cent. cut in the sandeel quota.

Ben Bradshaw: The provisions on North sea sandeels agreed at the December Council of Ministers include not only the reduced quota for 2004 but also new effort regulations to improve management of the stock. Sandeels are short-lived, and the state of the sandeel stock itself is very dependent upon this year's "recruitment" of young. Consequently we welcome both the quota and effort restrictions. We attach importance to the effective management of this fishery, and will continue to seek further improvements.
	However, the sandeel fishery does affect other fisheries. It does this through the by-catch of other commercial fish (such as haddock and whiting), and through the removal of fish which are prey to other larger fish. Some by-catch is allowed for in the agreed quotas, and ICES reports that the remaining by-catch is small. A reduction in the sandeel fishery was also found to have little effect on the availability of prey to other fish. To sum up, the evidence does not suggest that the sandeel restrictions will have a significant effect on our roundfish stocks, but what effect there is should be to their benefit. However, we do not think that this is the last word on the subject and are continuing to undertake research on the effect of sandeel fisheries.

Fisheries

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department's scientists have made of the effect on cod fisheries in the North sea of heavy exploitation of sandeels.

Ben Bradshaw: Exploiting sandeels could potentially affect cod through the food chain, or through the by-catch of cod in the sandeel fishery. Work is still in progress on these questions. On the food chain issue, large scale stomach sampling by ICES shows that cod feed on a wide range of prey species, and that for the North sea as a whole sandeels account for 5–15 per cent. of the diet of cod aged two years and older. At the North sea level, sandeel shortages tend to be short lived, and have not yet been shown to be critical for cod, but the question of more local effects needs further study. On the by-catch issue, small-meshed sandeel fishing occurs in some areas where early stages of cod may settle onto the sea bed, but sampling results officially reported to ICES indicate that the cod by-catch in sandeel landings is very low.

Fisheries

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what types of fishing gear are used by the Scottish white fish fleet.

Ben Bradshaw: The main types of demersal fishing gear used by the Scottish whitefish fleet are single boat trawl, pair trawl, pair seine, twin trawl. There are few Scottish vessels operating Scottish seines, gillnets or lines.

Fisheries

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the fishing capacity of a vessel is measured in relation to the effect of different engine power between vessels of similar tonnage.

Ben Bradshaw: The capacity of fishing vessels is measured both in terms of their tonnage and in terms of their engine power. Engine power is recorded as kilowatts. The ceilings on the overall size of the fleets of each EU member state are defined as separate limits on tonnage and engine power.
	For the purpose of licence transfers in the UK the Vessel Capacity Unit is currently used. This is a measure of vessel capacity which is solely related to the physical dimensions of a vessel and its engine power:
	VCU = length (m) x breadth (m) + 0.45 x power (KW)
	It is thus possible that two vessels of the same tonnage could have different capacities when calculated under this method if there are differences in length, breadth or engine power. The Fisheries Departments in the UK are reviewing the present capacity penalty arrangements with the intention of moving to a system based on tonnage and engine power rather than VCUs.

Common Agricultural Policy

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money from the Common Agricultural Policy has gone into the Yorkshire and Humber region in each of the past five years.

Alun Michael: The table shows the payments made by the Rural Payments Agency and its predecessors under the Common Agricultural Policy in the Yorkshire and Humber region in each of the past five European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund years— 16 October to 15 October. The figures quoted for 1999 relate to the period from 1 March of that year when the Agency introduced its new accounting system.
	
		
			  Amount (£) 
		
		
			 1999 147,906,481.89 
			 2000 265,826,830.32 
			 2001 265,162,593.53 
			 2002 254,428,355.91 
			 2003 256,035,777.90

Foot and Mouth

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what conditions have been imposed by the European Commission in respect of the submission of claims for expenditures incurred and payments made by her Department in relation to foot and mouth disease.

Ben Bradshaw: The European Commission has been very specific with regards to the timing for the submission of the UK claims, and the type of expenditure eligible for re-imbursement from the Community for eradication of FMD in 2001. Eligible expenditure is detailed in Council Decision 90/424/EC (Article 11) and includes compensation for slaughter of animals; the destruction of milk; the cleaning and disinfection of premises; and the transport and destruction of carcasses.

Foot and Mouth

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what specific and general requirements are imposed or otherwise demanded by the European Commission in relation to establishing and proving an audit trail for expenditures incurred and payments made by Her Majesty's Government during the foot and mouth epidemic, in respect of sums repayable in whole or in part by the Commission.

Ben Bradshaw: The Commission auditors continue to carry out on the spot checks of the costs incurred during the 2001 FMD outbreak. These checks include the examination of invoices and supporting documentation in line with recognised auditing procedures.

Foot and Mouth

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total value is of the claims made by Her Majesty's Government to the European Commission in respect of costs incurred in dealing with the foot and mouth disease epidemic of 2001; and what the total value is of the payments made by the Commission.

Ben Bradshaw: The total value of the claims made to the European Commission in respect of costs incurred in dealing with the foot and mouth disease epidemic of 2001 was £1,581 million. The maximum rate of reimbursement is 60 per cent. of these costs; so the potential reimbursement is £949 million.
	The Commission's auditors are still auditing the claim and have not indicated when they will complete their audit. To date the Commission has made payments to the United Kingdom of £238 million.

Foot and Mouth

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what the cost to date is to her Department of (a) auditing and (b) legal fees in respect of (i) investigating claims relating to foot and mouth disease payments, (ii) pursuing and prosecuting alleged or suspected fraudulent claims, and (iii) conducting civil actions;
	(2)  what the total value is of work undertaken by contractors in respect of works commissioned by her Department and its predecessor, carried out in relation to the foot and mouth epidemic of 2001, that remain unpaid by her Department.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Brian Cotter) on 6 January 2004, Official Report, columns 259–62W.

Foot and Mouth

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total payments made to date are to farmers in respect of compensation for animals slaughtered by her Department, and its predecessor, in relation to the foot and mouth epidemic of 2001.

Ben Bradshaw: The total payments to farmers to date in respect of compensation for animals slaughtered, by the Department and its predecessor, in relation to foot and mouth disease is £1,033 million.

Foot and Mouth

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total value is of the payments due to farmers in respect of compensation claimed for animals slaughtered by her Department in relation to the foot and mouth epidemic of 2001, that remain unpaid by her Department.

Ben Bradshaw: The total value of the payments due to farmers in respect of compensation claimed for animals slaughtered in relation to the foot and mouth epidemic of 2001 was £1,033 million. All the farmers have been paid the sums due to them.

Maize Subsidy

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the present subsidy regime is for maize production; and what the total amount spent on subsidising maize production was in the last three financial years.

Alun Michael: Maize is among the crops which are eligible for support under the EU support system for producers of certain arable crops, implemented through the Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS). In the last three financial years (2001–02 to 2003–04), payments for maize to AAPS claimants in England after modulation are calculated to be £13.5 million.
	The EU Common Market organisation for cereals also provides for public intervention for maize and export refunds.

Milk

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the operation of the milk-dairy supply chain.

Alun Michael: Last year the Milk Development Council commissioned a study by KPMG on "Prices and Profitability in the British Dairy Chain" which highlighted a number of areas where the operation of the dairy supply chain might contribute to low farmgate prices in the UK, including the structure of the UK industry, the low value of the product mix and the low level of product innovation within the UK compared with some member states. The Report also identified a number of areas where supply chain efficiency could be improved, through rationalisation or benchmarking.
	Many of these factors are for the industry itself to address. However, the Government can and has taken action to facilitate industry action in line with its Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food. In particular:
	Lord Whitty has chaired meetings of a Dairy Supply Chain Forum, which has been looking at co-operative solutions to improve supply chain efficiency, as well as other issues;
	Under the auspices of the Forum, the Milk Development Council has initiated an innovations workshop to look at barriers to innovation in the sector and how to overcome them;
	Defra is participating in a further two sub groups of the Forum, which aim to facilitate the long term sustainable development of the dairy supply chain and help it adjust to the new environment created by the reformed CAP;
	The Government has made a grant of nearly £0.5m to the Food Chain Centre to examine how to improve dairy supply chain efficiency; and
	We have established English Food and Farming Partnerships to encourage co-operation and collaboration across all agricultural sectors.

Milk

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on fluctuations in the level of the farm gate price of milk in the last 20 years.

Alun Michael: The fluctuations in the farmgate price of milk over the last 20 years are caused by a number of factors, including the level of supplies, demand on EU and world markets and exchange rates. However, none of these factors are sufficient to explain why UK farmgate prices have been constantly below the EU average with the exception of a few years after deregulation of the milk market in 1994. This question was examined by KPMG in its report on "Prices and Profitability in the GB Supply Chain", which was commissioned by the Milk Development Council and published last year. The Report concluded that low farmgate prices in the UK were largely the product the structure of the UK industry, the low value of the product mix and the low level of product innovation within the UK compared with some Member States. The Report also identified a number of areas where farmgate prices could be improved by increasing supply chain efficiency, through rationalisation or through benchmarking.
	Many of these factors are for the industry to address itself, the Government has taken action in line with its Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food to facilitate industry action. In particular:
	Lord Whitty has chaired meetings of a Dairy Supply Chain Forum, which has been looking at collaborative solutions to improve supply chain efficiency, as well as other issues;
	Under the auspices of the Forum, the Milk Development Council has initiated an innovations workshop to look at barriers to innovation in the sector and how to overcome them;
	Defra is participating in a further two sub groups of the Forum, which aim to facilitate the long term sustainable development of the dairy supply chain and help it adjust to the new environment created by the reformed CAP;
	The Government have made a grant of nearly £0.5 million to the Food Chain Centre to examine how to improve dairy supply chain efficiency; and
	We have established English Food and Farming Partnerships to encourage co-operation and collaboration across all agricultural sectors.

Organic Farms

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many organic farms there were in England and Wales (a) in 2000 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: The figures are as follows:
	
		
			  August 2000(6) March 2003(7) 
		
		
			 England 1,925 2,622 
			 Wales 401 618 
		
	
	(6) Source: Defra internal record
	(7) Source: Defra statistical notice—Stats Org UK1—issued on 28 July 2003

Permitted Killing Methods

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the permitted methods are for killing (a) moles and (b) rabbits in their runs and burrows.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) Moles
	The permitted methods typically used to kill moles in their runs are:
	Poisoning using worm baits impregnated with strychnine hydrochloride. This can only be used under a specific authority obtained from Defra.
	Poisoning with an approved fumigant (aluminium phosphide)
	Trapping. There are there are two main types in common use, the scissor (pincer) trap or metal half-barrel trap (Duffus).
	Certain other methods are permitted (for example shooting and live capture traps), but these are not widely used in the UK. Further details and advice on the range of available options for managing mole problems are given in the Defra leaflet WM03 "Moles" which is available online at: www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/leaflets.htm.
	Guidance on how to apply for permission to use strychnine hydrochloride for mole control is available online at: www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/mole.htm.
	(b) Rabbits
	The permitted methods typically used for killing rabbits in their burrows are:
	Poisoning with an approved fumigant (aluminium phosphide or hydrogen cyanide)
	Trapping. Traps currently approved by the Spring Traps Approval Order 1995 are the Imbra Trap Mark I and Mark II, Juby Trap, Fenn Rabbit Trap Mark I, Fenn Vermin Trap Mark VI (Multi Purpose), Springer Mark VI (Dual Purpose), Victor Conibear 120–2 and the BMI Magnum 116.
	Further details and advice on the range of available options for managing rabbit problems are given in the following Defra leaflets WM01, WM16 and WM17 and in Forestry Commission leaflet FCPN002, which are available online at: www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/leaflets.htm.
	A full list of approved traps and the relevant conditions of use can be found online at: www.defra. gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/approved-traps. htm

Pesticides

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support the Department provides to the Voluntary Initiative on Pesticides website.

Alun Michael: Defra provides no support for the website of the Voluntary Initiative on Pesticides.

Pesticides

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions (a) she and (b) her officials have had with the Treasury regarding a tax on pesticides.

Alun Michael: Providing that it is fully implemented, the industry-led voluntary initiative on pesticides should successfully deliver the reduction in adverse environmental impact of pesticide use to which the Government are committed However, Defra and Treasury officials are continuing to consider options for a tax or other economic instrument should the voluntary initiative fail to deliver agreed objectives within a reasonable timescale. Defra and Treasury Ministers have had no recent discussions on a possible pesticides tax.

Pig Welfare (Poland)

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what evaluation she has made of the pig welfare regulations in force in Poland; how they will change on accession to the EU; and in what respects they (a) differ now and (b) will differ upon accession from those in force in the UK.

Ben Bradshaw: We have made no evaluation of the existing pig welfare rules in Poland. Poland is committed to implementing the EU pig welfare rules in full, by 1 May 2004, into its national legislation. The European Commission is responsible for monitoring how each accession state is progressing in preparing to implement Community law (the 'acquis').
	After 1 May 2004, the Commission will continue to monitor Poland's application of the animal welfare acquis, in the same way as it does in existing member states, in order to ensure uniform application of EU legislation.

Poultry

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information her Department collates on the (a) quantity and (b) type of (i) therapeutic and (ii) non-therapeutic drugs given to chickens in the UK in the last year.

Ben Bradshaw: The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), an executive agency of Defra, collates and publishes data on an annual basis on the UK sales of veterinary antimicrobials. These data are supplied by industry on a voluntary basis.
	In November 2003 the VMD published figures for sales of antimicrobial products used as veterinary medicines, for the year 2002. These indicate that there was a slight decrease in sales of therapeutic antimicrobials indicated for use only in poultry (from 20 tonnes of active ingredient in 2001 to 13 tonnes in 2002). In addition a proportion of the 313 tonnes of active ingredient sold in products authorised for use in more than one species may also have been used in poultry, although it is not possible at this time to quantify this proportion. The figures also show that 250 tonnes of active ingredient of coccidiostats and 27 tonnes of growth promoters were sold. Although these figures have not been broken down by species, the majority of these sales were products authorised only for use in poultry. Full details are available on the VMD's website (www.vmd.gov.uk).
	Defra does not collect on a regular basis data on use of other veterinary medicinal products in poultry.

Prosecutions

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many prosecutions her Department has initiated in the last 12 months; how many of them resulted in (a) a conviction and (b) an acquittal; and how many were dismissed by the Court on the grounds of an incompetent prosecution.

Alun Michael: The Department has commenced 159 prosecutions in the last 12 months:
	64 have resulted in convictions.
	6 have resulted in acquittals.
	89 prosecutions remain outstanding.
	None of the prosecutions have been dismissed by the Court on the grounds of "an incompetent prosecution".

US Farm Bill

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her counterparts in the United States since the breakdown of the World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Cancun about the likely impact of the United States' Farm Bill on the (a) economies of and (b) living standards in, developing countries.

Ben Bradshaw: There is on-going contact between UK and US officials about all aspects of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Round, including on the US Farm Bill. During these discussions we have made clear our opinion that the Bill runs counter to our shared goal, as laid down at Doha, of reducing trade-distorting subsidies in the WTO. While it is difficult to make an accurate economic assessment of the impact that the US Farm Bill might have on the economies and living standards of developing countries, World Bank studies estimate that the comprehensive reform of all aspects of agricultural policies in developed countries could raise the incomes of developing countries by up to $100 billion.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Action on Elder Abuse

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will contribute funding to the telephone helpline run by Action on Elder Abuse.

Stephen Ladyman: I have been asked to reply.
	The abuse of vulnerable adults is of great concern to the Government. Since the launch of Action on Elder Abuse in 1993, the Department of Health has used grants to fund both the core functions of the organisation and a variety of specific projects including the telephone helpline. Action on Elder Abuse received just under £160,000 over the three years from 1997–98 to 1999–2000 to help establish and successfully operate the national helpline.
	Bids for section 64 funding are currently being considered and will be announced on the normal way.

Advertising Expenditure

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total expenditure on information campaigns and advertising was for his Department for each year since 2001–02.

Fiona Mactaggart: The total amount spent on public information campaigns by the Home Office was:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 2001–02 25.1 
			 2002–03 18.3 
		
	
	This amount includes the cost of Home Office publications and literature, campaign research, creative development and production, as well as the amount spent on advertising media.
	The proportion of these totals spent on advertising media was:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 2001–02 14.4 
			 2002–03 9.9 
		
	
	During 2002–03 our campaigns included the award winning police recruitment campaign an essential part in the successful recruitment of record numbers of police officers. Other campaigns contributed to a reduction in vehicle crime, the national firearms amnesty and advising parents and children on safe use of the internet.
	In 2001–02 our campaigns again focused on police recruitment, vehicle crime and child protection on the internet. We also ran campaigns to support a reduction in drug misuse, and the introduction of postal voting.
	Total expenditure for 2003–04 has yet to be finalised.

Asylum Seekers

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) men and (b) women who had entered the United Kingdom from Somalia and who were refused the right to remain were removed from the United Kingdom during 2003.

Beverley Hughes: Information on the total number of people who are removed from the United Kingdom is not available by nationality and gender, except by examination of individual case-files at disproportionate cost.

Asylum Seekers

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the longest outstanding asylum case still awaiting a final decision is; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Information on individual decisions, up to and including the outcome of all potential appeals, is not readily available and could be obtained only by examination of individual case files. This would incur disproportionate cost.
	29,100 cases were awaiting an initial decision at the end of September 2003, the lowest level for more than a decade; of these 8,500 cases were work in progress i.e. the application had been outstanding for six months or less.
	Provisional data show that 81 per cent. of applications received in the period April to June 2003 had initial decisions reached and served within two months and that 74 per cent. of applications (excluding withdrawals and third country cases 1 ) received in 2002–03 were decided and served within two months. This exceeded the Government's target of 65 per cent. for 2002–03 and was a significant increase on the corresponding figure of 61 per cent. for 2001–02.
	Information on the number of asylum applications awaiting initial decision and the timeliness of initial decisions is published quarterly on the Home Office website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	1 Cases which may be the responsibility of other EU member states under the Dublin Convention.

Asylum Seekers

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people sought (a) political and (b) religious asylum in the United Kingdom in 2003; how many were granted the right to remain; and how many failed in their applications and were removed.

Beverley Hughes: The number of people applying for asylum in the United Kingdom during 2003 is not currently available. Provisional data for the number of asylum applications made in 2003 will be published as part of the quarterly asylum statistics on 24 February, on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	Information on the outcomes of asylum applications made in 2003 will be published in the annual Home Office Statistical bulletin 'Asylum Statistics United Kingdom'. It is planned that the annual publication for 2003 data will be published at the end of August 2004.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of people making asylum applications over the next three years.

Beverley Hughes: We have already reduced the number of asylum applications by half since October 2002, meeting the ambitious target set by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister. Current policy initiatives, such as juxtaposed controls in France and the deployment of detection technology at continental ports, are designed to prevent those who seek to circumvent our controls at specific ports of entry from doing so. Measures in the Asylum and Immigration Bill currently before Parliament—for example, measures aimed at those who deliberately destroy their documents to obstruct the processing of their case—will help deter unfounded claims. Together, these measures will reduce overall numbers still further.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of those seeking asylum he expects to be housed in accommodation centres pending their applications being determined.

Beverley Hughes: Accommodation centres will be introduced on a trial basis with a total capacity of up to 3,000 places during the trial period. We cannot predict what proportion this would constitute of the total number of asylum seekers: this will depend on the average length of stay at an accommodation centre, as well as the number of people claiming asylum and the average period it takes to determine their applications.

Asylum Seekers

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision is in place for asylum seekers delayed from leaving the United Kingdom through no fault of their own, under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Beverley Hughes: The current legislation requires that, with the exception of families including children under the age of 18, support for asylum seekers whose claims are unsuccessful must end once a final decision is made on the asylum claim. Families continue to receive support until they leave or fail to comply with directions for their removal. Unsuccessful asylum seekers are expected to leave the country but, where this is not possible due to circumstances entirely beyond the person's control, they may be provided with accommodation under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Generally speaking accommodation will be full board since there is no provision for payment of financial support.

Asylum Seekers

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are in place to ensure that child asylum seekers are only detained for very short periods prior to removal.

Beverley Hughes: Unaccompanied minors are not detained other than in one very limited circumstance: where, exceptionally, it is necessary to detain a child while alternative care arrangements are made and, then, normally just overnight.
	Families with children may be detained in the following circumstances: initially, while their identities and basis of claim are established; where there are reasonable grounds for believing that they will fail to comply with the conditions of temporary admission or release; or to effect removal. In addition, families whose asylum claims appear to be capable of being decided quickly may be detained as part of a fast-track process.
	The detention of families with children is subject to rigorous and frequent review by a central unit within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND). Where detention is for the purpose of effecting the removal of the family concerned its continuation will be authorised only where it is clear that there is a realistic prospect of removal within a reasonable period of time and that satisfactory progress is being made towards removal. If these criteria are not met, further detention is unlikely to be authorised. In the majority of such cases, detention will last for just a few days immediately prior to removal. For those cases where, exceptionally, detention for a longer period is necessary we have introduced a system whereby the detention of any family with children beyond 28 days is subject to Ministerial authority and review. In addition, a senior IND official has been appointed to oversee all detained family cases to ensure that there are no administrative barriers to speedy case progression.

Asylum Seekers

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in ensuring consistent standards in removal centres.

Beverley Hughes: It is clearly important for standards across the immigration removal estate to be more consistent and we are working to ensure that this is the case.
	All removal centres are already required to operate under the Detention Centre Rules 2001, which regulate the operation and management of removal centres and the treatment of detained persons.
	In addition, a comprehensive set of Operating Standards are in the process of being developed and issued to all removal centre operators. These Operating Standards set out the minimum requirements expected of operators. It is, of course, open to individual operators to exceed these minimum requirements or, where no single approach is stipulated, to select the most appropriate means of meeting a particular standard in the centre concerned. The individual standards are subject to extensive consultation. To date, Operating Standards have been issued on the following subjects: activities (adults and children); catering; complaints and requests procedures; female detainees; health care; race relations; religion; suicide and self-harm; temporary confinement; and use of force.

Asylum Seekers

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment is made of the needs of children before they go to detention centres.

Beverley Hughes: The general needs of children are considered when a decision to detain a family is made and when the family is taken into detention. Once detained, rule 11(3) of the Detention Centre Rules 2001 requires removal centre operators to provide everything reasonably necessary for detained persons' protection, safety and well-being and for the maintenance and care of infants and children.
	Families with children are currently detained at either Dungavel or Tinsley House Removal Centres or Oakington Reception Centre. In all cases they are accommodated in dedicated family rooms within the centre so as to ensure that family members are not separated and, so far as practicable within the constraints of detention, are able to maintain family life. These centres are well equipped and the staff that work there are well qualified to recognise children's needs and where necessary ensure special provision is made.
	At Dungavel, where there is a well-established education provision for school-age children, all children are assessed when they arrive to establish their learning needs. We have recently announced our intention to enhance these assessments and introduce contingency curriculum arrangements for children in longer term detention.

Asylum Seekers

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision is made for children to be educated in detention centres.

Beverley Hughes: Removal centres that may hold families with children for anything more than a few days are required to have arrangements in place to provide educational classes to the children concerned. At present, this relates only to Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre and Oakington Reception Centre. The education provision at Dungavel is well established. Classes run every day throughout the week for all school age children. A range of subjects is covered including English, maths, science, food technology and history. Music and art are also provided. The position at Oakington is different in that the need for educational provision has arisen only comparatively recently and is in the process of being developed.

Correspondence

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Manchester, Central dated (a) 19 August 2003 re Mr. N. reference 0/985393 and (b) 28 August 2003 re: Mr. AA, reference PO 13028/3.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 19 January 2004
	The information is as follows:
	(a) A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 16 January 2004.
	(b) I wrote to my hon. Friend on 26 January 2004.

Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter dated 8 December 2003 from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding asylum seekers in Scotland.

Beverley Hughes: I wrote to the hon. Member on 23 January 2004.

Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter dated 31 October 2003 from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding his constituent, Mr. G Christie of Fordyce.

Beverley Hughes: I wrote to the hon. Member on the 22 January 2004.

Criminal Justice Board (Gloucestershire)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the membership of the local Criminal Justice Board in Gloucestershire and indicate the bodies represented.

Paul Goggins: The members of the Gloucestershire Local Criminal Justice Board are:
	
		
			 Member Body represented 
		
		
			 Tim Brain Chief Constable (Chair) 
			 John Carter Chief Officer, National Probation Service, Gloucestershire 
			 Withiel Cole Chief Crown Prosecutor 
			 Alan Davies Justices' Chief Executive, Magistrates Courts 
			 David Gentry Group Manager, the Court Service 
			 Enid Castle Representing Gloucestershire Police Authority 
			 Phil Kendrick Gloucestershire County Council Youth Services 
			 David Chalmers Her Majesty's Prison Service

Drug-related Crime

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of drug-related crime in (a) the North West, (b) Lancashire and (c) Chorley; and what the cost of drug-related crime was in each area in each of the last three years.

Caroline Flint: Recorded crime figures include statistics on drugs offences, such as possession, and on acquisitive crimes, such as burglary, but do not record whether the latter are related to an offender's drug habits.
	The NEW-ADAM research programme of interviewing and drug testing those arrested by the police sheds some light on the links between drugs and crime, although the conclusions do not relate specifically to Lancashire and the North West region. Data from eight locations (1999–2000) indicated that more than three-fifths (by value) of acquisitive crime was committed by users of both heroin and cocaine/crack.
	The total number of acquisitive crimes recorded by the police in Lancashire and the North West region in 2002–03 are set out in Table 1 as follows (data are not available for Chorley). Acquisitive crimes are burglary, theft, handling stolen goods and robbery.
	
		Table 1: Acquisitive crimes recorded by the police, 2003–03
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Lancashire 89,993 
			 North West 588,566 
		
	
	Source
	"Crime in England and Wales 2002–2003" Home Office Statistical Bulletin 07/03.
	Estimates of the costs of drug-related crime are not available annually or broken down by region. However, a recent study published by the Home Office provides estimates of the total economic and social costs of Class A drug use and puts these in the range of £10.1 to £17.4 billion for the year 2000. These costs include the costs of drug-related crime, which are estimated to fall in the range £8.8 to £15.8 billion. The costs of drug-related crime include victim costs and those accruing to courts, prisons and other parts of the criminal justice system.

Entry Clearance

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals against refusal of entry clearance from Pakistan by (a) spouses, (b) fiancées, (c) dependent children and (d) dependent elderly relatives are being processed by his Department; what the average time taken in the last 12 months was between receipt of papers from UK Visas and papers being sent to the Independent Appellate Authority; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: I regret that the information on the number of appeals against refusal of entry clearance by nationality is not currently available in the form requested. Appeals against refusal of entry clearance are not sent to UK Visas but go directly to the Appeals Processing Centre (APC) and then to the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA). Data on the average time taken between receipt of papers by the APC and being sent to the IAA are not currently available.
	Statistics on the total numbers of refusals of entry clearance are published annually. The latest publication, Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2002, is available on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Roma

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the numbers of members of the Roma community who will migrate into the UK from Eastern Europe after enlargement of the EU on 1 May.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 26 January 2004
	Research conducted by University College London for the Home Office, published in June last year ("The impact of EU enlargement on migration flows", Home Office On-Line Report 25/03), estimates that the numbers of people expected to migrate to the UK from the new member states in the years following enlargement will not be significant. The research corroborates a number of other independent studies, which have been summarised in reports by the European Commission in 2000 and the former Department for Education and Employment in 1999. It is based in part on experience of previous EU enlargements, where the large increases in migration flows predicted before enlargement did not materialise.
	None of this research has been able to predict exact numbers expected from specific countries or ethnic groups to the UK. However, Roma would have been included in the overall numbers.
	Citizens of the new member states who come to the UK will work, contribute to the economy, and pay taxes. The Habitual Residence Test will ensure that no one can simply come here and claim benefits. Powers to deport are available where non-British EU citizens commit offences.
	Enlargement should also improve the quality of life for all citizens in the new member states as their governments must enforce human rights and minority rights, including protection against racial discrimination, to EU standards before accession and subsequently. EU accession should also improve economic prospects in the new member states so reducing the incentive for economic migration.
	If, contrary to the available evidence, there is a large influx of workers posing a real threat to UK jobs, we will be able to re-introduce restrictions. We will of course be monitoring the situation closely.

Fines

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the reasons for non-collection of fines.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
	There are a number of reasons why, in the past, the collection of fines has not been as effective as it should have been. They include: imposing fines that do not reflect the ability to pay due to lack of information on offenders' income/expenditure; lack of information on offenders' current whereabouts; and a lack of an alternative for those who genuinely cannot pay.
	This is being addressed through the seven point action plan I announced in June last year, the Courts Act 2003 measures, and the overall enforcement programme being taken forward by the Department for Constitutional Affairs. These are specifically designed to tackle the root causes of non-collection and secure sustained improvement in fine enforcement performance.

Immigration Appeals

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many presenting officers were in post on 1 October in each of the last four years.

Beverley Hughes: The number of presenting officers in post and available to present appeals at adjudicator hearings is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of officers in post 
		
		
			 13 November 2000 202 
			 1 October 2001 192 
			 1 October 2002 233 
			 1 October 2003 279 
		
	
	A recruitment exercise is currently under way and a further 65 presenting officers will be in post by mid March 2004.

Medicines (Disposal)

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been in the last five years for the offence of theft of (a) controlled drugs and (b) time-expired pharmaceuticals from sites disposing of NHS waste.

Caroline Flint: The information collected centrally on court proceedings does not allow the theft of drugs to be distinguished from other thefts, nor are details of the location of thefts collected.

Penalty Points

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an individual can receive penalty points in respect of more than one driving offence committed on the same day.

Caroline Flint: Where more than one offence involving obligatory endorsement is committed on the same occasion, the total number of penalty points to be attributed is the number that the most serious offence would attract. Two or more offences committed on the same day but not on the same occasion would attract points separately. It would be for the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and courts to decide whether the different offences amounted to separate incidents or whether they were part of the same continuing incident.

Police Guidelines

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  whether amendments made by the Association of Chief Police Officers to their media and disciplinary guidelines are publicly available;
	(2)  what amendments have been made, following agreement with the Association of Chief Police Officers, to the media and disciplinary guidelines issued to police forces.
	(3)  whether anonymity will be granted to those accused of sexual offences if they have learning difficulties.

Paul Goggins: This matter was debated during the passage of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
	The Government believe that informed and strengthened guidance to the police and the media is preferable to legislation.
	Following discussions between the Association of Chief Police Officers and officials the updated Media Advisory Group Guidance Notes have given greater prominence to this issue. They underline that suspects should not be named before charge and go on to highlight the possible dangers of doing so. The Guidance Notes are available to the public and can be viewed on the website www.acpo.police.uk.

Prisons (Foreign Nationals)

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are in place to ensure that the Immigration Service (a) monitors the sentences of foreign national prisoners, with particular reference to those liable to deportation and (b) takes action to ensure repatriation or deportation takes place as soon as a prisoner's sentence has expired.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 26 January 2004
	HM prisons are instructed to notify the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) of all foreign nationals sentenced to a term of imprisonment, together with their release dates once calculated.
	IND then considers whether a person should be deported or removed and it is our aim, wherever possible, to remove such persons in line with their release from custody.
	There are, however, reasons why this may not happen in a particular case. These may include such factors as the need to consider an appeal or application for leave to remain, the non-availability of travel document, difficulties with travel arrangements or other matters which have to be considered or addressed before the deportation or removal can be effected.
	IND and the Prison Service work closely together and with individual inmates to keep any delays in effecting removal to a minimum.

Racist Incident Reporting Form

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the standardised multi-agency racist incident reporting form.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 26 January 2004
	The minimum data content for the standardised multi agency racist incidents reporting form is in the Code of Practice on reporting and recording racist incidents. This is currently in stock in the Library.

Risk of Sexual Harm Orders

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons his Department deems it unnecessary to be required to report to Parliament the numbers of risk of sexual harm orders that are issued on an annual basis.

Paul Goggins: The Home Office will monitor the use of risk of sexual harm orders (RSHOs) but, as was stated in the response to the Home Affairs Committee's report on the Sexual Offences Act 2003, we do not feel that there is any need for the number of such orders to be reported annually to Parliament. In common with the other civil preventative orders in Part 2 of the Act, statistics will be collected on the number of RSHOs taken out each year and this information will be available if requested.

Terrestrial Trunked Radio

David Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which recommendations of the National Radiological Protection Board report on health and safety issues of terrestrial trunked radio have been implemented.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 22 January 2004
	The Home Office took expert advice from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) on the health aspects of TETRA technology. The AGNIR experts concluded that on the basis of current evidence, it was unlikely that TETRA posed a hazard to health. They also made a number of recommendations for further research on remaining areas of uncertainty. No research on masts was suggested. The AGNIR recommendations have been taken forward by the Mobile Telecommunications Research Programme and by the Home Office. Regularly updated information is available at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/tetra.html.

Terrorism

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 15 January 2004, Official Report, column 894W, on the Terrorism Act, if he will break down, by region, the stops and searches carried out since 2001 under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000; what reasons were given for using these powers; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increases.

David Blunkett: A breakdown of stop and searches by Police Force area under section 44(1) and section 44(2) of the Terrorism Act 2000 for the financial years 2001–02 and 2002–03 is provided in the table. This is taken from information published in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin.
	Stop and Searches under Section 44(1) or (2) may only be exercised for the purposes of searching for articles of a kind which could be used in connection with terrorism. The decision to authorise use of the powers is made against the background of the current threat level and the assessment of the risk to any designated or whole force area.
	The increase in stops and searches can be attributed to an increase in general security throughout the year following September 11 (2001).
	
		
			  Stop and Searches ofvehicles and occupantsunder 44(1) Stop and Searches ofpedestrians under44(2) 
			 Police force area 2001–02 2002–03 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset — — — — 
			 Bedfordshire 8 31 — — 
			 Cambridgeshire — — — — 
			 Cheshire 385 302 2 18 
			 Cleveland — — — — 
			 Cumbria — — —  
			 Derbyshire 20 — — — 
			 Devon and Cornwall 129 — — — 
			 Dorset — — — — 
			 Durham 235 — 3 — 
			 Essex — 2 — 5 
			 Gloucestershire 36 898 — — 
			 Greater Manchester 36 210 — 299 
			 Hampshire 10 256 2 38 
			 Hertfordshire 4 — — — 
			 Humberside — — — — 
			 Kent 255 67 2 74 
			 Lancashire — 155 — — 
			 Leicestershire(8) 68 45 68  
			 Lincolnshire — — — — 
			 London, City of 3,409 4,369 86 275 
			 Merseyside — — — — 
			 Metropolitan 3,598 19,677 473 3,764 
			 Norfolk 2 5 — — 
			 Northamptonshire — — — — 
			 Northumbria — — — — 
			 North Yorkshire 8 110 — — 
			 Nottinghamshire — — — — 
			 South Yorkshire 263 105 — — 
			 Staffordshire — — — — 
			 Suffolk — 3 — — 
			 Surrey 1 31 1 36 
			 Sussex 767 113 310 238 
			 Thames Valley — 900 — — 
			 Warwickshire — — — — 
			 West Mercia 5 — — — 
			 West Midlands — 16 — 20 
			 West Yorkshire — 18 — — 
			 Wiltshire — — — — 
			 Dyfed Powys — — — — 
			 Gwent — — — 7 
			 North Wales — — — — 
			 South Wales — — — — 
			 Total 9,239 27,313 947 4,774 
		
	
	(8) Stops and searches of vehicles and occupants and pedestrians are not separately available for 2002–03

Terrorism

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings have been held since 25 June of the pilot group tasked with taking forward the recommendation adopted at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council in Brussels on 28 and 29 November 2002 in relation to terrorist profiling; and what was discussed at those meetings.

Caroline Flint: The informal pilot group held its second workshop on terrorist profiling at the headquarters of Europol on 24 November 2003, with United Kingdom representation. This meeting was essentially a stock take, as the research needed to inform this long-term and complex project is ongoing.

Visa Requirement

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce a visa requirement for all non-EEA nationals entering the UK in the course of business, where the prime purpose of that entry is to engage in anti-trade union activities.

Beverley Hughes: We have no plans to introduce a specific visa requirement for those seeking entry to engage in anti- trade union activities. However, the Immigration Rules contain provision for the refusal of entry to a person where it is judged that their presence in the United Kingdom is not conducive to the public good. This would allow for the refusal of a person where their character, conduct or associations made their entry undesirable.

Yarl's Wood Removal Centre

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the findings of Mr. Stephen Shaw's investigation into the management of Yarl's Wood Removal Centre will be published; and how they will be made available.

Beverley Hughes: The timing of the completion of the inquiry into the allegations of racist behaviour and attitudes among staff at Yarl's Wood Removal Centre is a matter for Stephen Shaw. However, we understand that Stephen Shaw would hope to complete his inquiry and report his findings as soon as possible. The report will be published although the details of exactly how this will done have yet to be determined.

Youth Justice System

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when consolidating legislation to create consistent definitions and terminology within the youth justice system will come into effect.

Paul Goggins: We have no plans to make consolidating legislation on youth justice.
	We published on 8 September a consultative document "Youth Justice—The Next Steps" as a companion document to the main Green Paper "Every Child Matters". In "Youth Justice—The Next Steps" we set out a number of proposals, including clarification of the purpose of sentencing a juvenile, and simplification of sentencing. The consultation period ended on 1 December and we are currently analysing the responses. Some of our proposals, if taken forward, will require legislation. This would be brought forward as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

SCOTLAND

IRA Terrorism

Harry Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on which dates terrorist incidents ascribed to the IRA have taken place in Scotland since 1973.

Anne McGuire: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, on 11 December 2003, Official Report, column 618W.

Post Office/Banking Services

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has held with (a) the Royal Bank of Scotland, (b) Halifax Bank of Scotland and (c) Clydesdale Bank concerning the provision of banking services in the Post Office; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: I plan to meet representatives from the Royal Bank of Scotland in the next month to discuss a range of issue affecting the banking sector.
	The three banks mentioned currently allow access to basic bank accounts through the Post Office branch network, but have not agreed to extend this access to other accounts. While the Government would urge all banks to provide their customers with access to their accounts through Post Offices, decisions to do so are commercial ones for individual institutions.

Post Office/Banking Services

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact on the Scottish rural post office network of three of the major Scottish banks not offering full bank services at the Post Office; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: I have made no such assessment. Decisions on whether to extend access to full banking services at Post Offices are commercial ones for individual institutions.

Public Expenditure

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last made a needs-based assessment of public expenditure levels in Scotland.

Anne McGuire: My right hon. Friend has made no such assessment. The details of the funding arrangements were set out in the "Statement of Funding Policy", published by the Treasury in July 2002. The Government have no plans to change the Barnett formula.

Public Expenditure

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to conduct a needs-based assessment of public expenditure levels in Scotland; and whether he anticipates that such an assessment would conclude that current levels are (a) higher, (b) lower or (c) the same as current needs.

Anne McGuire: My right hon. Friend has no plans to conduct an assessment. The details of the funding arrangements were set out in the "Statement of Funding Policy", published by the Treasury in July 2002. The Government have no plans to change the Barnett formula.

Sewel Motions

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list Sewel motions passed by the Scottish Parliament since 26 June 2003 that apply to his Department's responsibilities and legislation he has sponsored.

Anne McGuire: As part of its responsibility for Scotland's devolution settlement, the Scotland Office is involved as necessary in discussions between Government Departments and the Scottish Executive on the application of the Sewel Convention, providing advice in line with Devolution Guidance Note 10. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has not sponsored any legislation that has been the subject of a Sewel motion.

Solectron Dunfermline

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sums have been paid to the Solectron plant in Dunfermline; and whether funds will be offered to Solectron Dunfermline to assist the relocation of work being carried out by Solectron Carrickfergus.

Anne McGuire: Issues relating to financial assistance to industry were devolved under the Scotland Act and now fall within the responsibility of the Scottish Executive.

TREASURY

Banking Supervision

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints have been received concerning banking supervision in each of the last three years.

Ruth Kelly: The Financial Services Authority is responsible for banking supervision. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 required an arrangement for the investigation of complaints against the FSA to be established. Accordingly, the FSA's Complaints Scheme was introduced with effect from 3 September 2001.
	The following table sets out the number of complaints received under the Financial Services Authority's complaints scheme concerning an alleged failure to supervise deposit taking institutions.
	
		
			  Complaints received 
		
		
			 3 September to 31 December 2001 0 
			 Calendar year 2002 1 
			 Calendar year 2003 2

Benefit Fraud

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department have been (a) investigated, (b) suspended, (c) dismissed, (d) prosecuted and (e) convicted for involvement in benefit fraud in each of the last six years; and what the amounts involved were in each of these categories listed.

Ruth Kelly: None.

Economic Survey

Martyn Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the paper, "Economic Survey-United Kingdom 2004", published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Ruth Kelly: The OECD's assessment of the UK economy was published on 20 January 2004. The Government welcome the report and notes the positive assessment of the performance of the economy over the past few years.

Financial Services Authority

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) of 14 January 2004, Official Report, column 816W, on the Financial Services Authority, for which firms the Financial Services Authority has reduced fees; by how much; which fees these were; and when.

Ruth Kelly: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) reduces fees for all firms in those areas of business where fines have been levied. It received £100,000 in financial penalties in the financial year 2001–02. This was applied to the benefit of fee-payers in fee block A.7 (fund managers), reducing the fees for all firms in this fee block paid in 2002–03 by 0.5 per cent. of those fees.
	The FSA received £9,169,000 in financial penalties in the financial year 2002–03. It applied this amount to the benefit of fee-payers in six fee blocks. In fee block A.1 (deposit-acceptors) there was a reduction of 1.5 per cent. of the 2003–04 fee, in fee block A.4 (firms conducting insurance activities subject to both prudential and conduct of business regulation) a reduction of 3.1 per cent., in fee block A.7 (fund managers) a reduction of 1.7 per cent., in fee block A.12 (advisory arrangers dealers or brokers (holding or controlling client money and/or assets)) a reduction of 29.0 per cent., in fee block A.13 (advisory arrangers, dealers or brokers (not holding or controlling client money and/or assets)) a reduction of 3.1 per cent., and in fee block A.16 (Pensions Review levy firms) a reduction of 11.6 per cent.

Public Finances

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action the UK is planning to address the Government deficit mentioned in COM (2004) 29.

Ruth Kelly: The projections for the public finances presented in the 2003 pre-Budget report show that the Government remain on track to meet their strict fiscal rules over the economic cycle on the basis of cautious assumptions, with public finances remaining sustainable in the long term.
	Furthermore, the UK continues to meet a prudent interpretation of the Stability and Growth Pact, that takes into account debt and long-term fiscal sustainability more generally, the need for public investment, and the economic cycle.

Infant Mortality

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children under the age of one year have died suddenly in each of the last 10 years; and what main reasons have been attributed to those deaths in the most recent of those years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Mr. John Pullinger to Mr. Tim Loughton, dated 27 January 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on how many children under the age of one year have died suddenly in each of the last 10 years; and what main reasons have been attributed to those deaths in the most recent years. I am replying in his absence. (151094)
	Information collated at death registration does not generally indicate duration of the conditions leading to death. It is therefore not possible to identify all sudden deaths. However, for any infant death where the certifier mentioned "sudden infant death" or related term e.g. "cot death" or "sudden infant death syndrome", these figures are published as "sudden infant deaths". These figures are shown in the table below. Because of the method used to identify these deaths no further information is available on the reasons attributed to these deaths.
	
		Sudden infant deaths—England and Wales 1993–2002
		
			  Numbers Rates(9) 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1993 458 0.68 
			 1994 454 0.68 
			 1995 398 0.61 
			 1996 424 0.65 
			 1997 393 0.61 
			 1998 289 0.45 
			 1999 280 0.45 
			 2000 246 0.41 
			 2001 240 0.40 
			 2002(10) 187 0.31 
		
	
	(9) Rate per 1,000 live births.
	(10) Provisional.

Information Technology

Richard Allan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what audit mechanisms are in place to determine whether information technology (a) hardware and (b) software products are being used properly in his Department.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested is as follows:
	Inland Revenue
	There is a full right of access for audit (including National Audit Office) and security interest across the whole of the Inland Revenue and the IT supplier. This enables the reviewing bodies to fully cover any area of risk as determined by their work planning processes.
	All major new computer projects or enhancements have to provide an audit trail of all computer activity by users. IA monitors activity to detect potential fraud and misuse. There is a standard set of audit checks carried out over these developments in order to ensure compliance with all legal and departmental requirements and IA has a seat on the project steering committee to ensure appropriate consideration is given to audit findings.
	IA has a specialised computer audit team of qualified professionals who carry out a programme of technical audits over the provision of IT services both hardware and software. They use an international computer audit standard (CoBIT) to risk assess the services and to measure provision against a set of detailed controls. All findings are reported to the responsible senior manager and followed up to ensure appropriate action.
	Overall, IA and DSU have a direct reporting line to the Departmental Audit and Security Committee to raise issues that are high risk or that IA/DSU consider are not being addressed adequately by managers.
	As already referred to, National Audit Office also carry out pieces of review activity across the Partnership and often work in joint teams with IA and/or DSU.
	HM Treasury
	The Treasury uses a combination of line management overview and procurement scrutiny to determine whether information technology hardware and software products are being used properly in the Department. These are supported by internal audit and security reviews wherever appropriate. Staff identified as making unacceptable use of IT will be subject to disciplinary procedures.
	There are two overarching controls over the use of IT in the Treasury: the Departmental IT strategy which sets the tone for the use of IT, and the annual Business Planning and Budget Planning round which subjects all proposals to high-level business scrutiny.
	Further down the line, all IT purchases, whether hardware or software, are required to be supported by a business case to ensure that there is a formal requirement by the Department for the facilities. After implementation, the Treasury has guidelines (promulgated to all staff) on the acceptable use of information technology. Certain rules are enforced (e.g. construct and length of passwords and enforced screen savers) and firewalls are used to protect HMT systems from attack, to protect staff from unwanted correspondence (spam) and to disable unacceptable internet web access.
	In general, line managers are responsible for enforcing the acceptable use of IT facilities provided to their staff. However, they have access to the resources of the departmental internal audit and security teams to investigate specific incidents. There are also more general internal audits of IT themes and running contract arrangements to ensure that processes are sound, efficient and effective. The Department is required to conform to Government security regulations and is subject to security audits to ensure that it remains compliant.
	HM Customs and Excise
	Guidance and standards are published covering the procurement, development and use of IT hardware and software. HM Customs and Excise has developed a single approach to the management of business change—the Business Change Lifecycle. This covers all stages of IT system development and is aligned with the OGC Gateway Review process. It identifies the stages and products that must be produced to comply with the HMCE standards. Once implemented the use of hardware and software is controlled through security standards and acceptable use policy.
	It is the responsibility of all managers to ensure that the IT systems provided to their staff are used in accordance with the guidance and standards, although additional assurance mechanisms are in place. Managers can call upon the services of our Internal Investigation Division to investigate specific incidents. Compliance is also monitored through an internal assurance programme which contributes to the annual Statement of Internal Control. Our Internal Audit Division also provides assurance over the operation of IT systems through their annual programme of audits. Systems are selected for examination based on a risk assessment, and take account of the significance and materiality to achieving the Department's business objectives. In addition, external audit is carried out by the NAO. Their audit programme includes IT security and specific controls for key systems.

Information Technology

Richard Allan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what cost savings have been made in his Department since the introduction of the Information Technology Procurement Centre of Excellence; and how these were calculated.

Paul Boateng: A Centre of Excellence was established within HM Treasury, Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise in June 2003 to integrate the essential functions which underpin the successful delivery of all types of acquisition based programmes and projects. As cost benefits will not accrue until improvements start to take effect, it is too early to measure cost savings. All Centres of Excellence are currently developing future plans and as part of this process measurement of savings will be defined.

Public Bodies

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who the members of the (a) Financial Services Authority and (b) VAT and Duties Tribunal were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and what their remuneration is.

Ruth Kelly: The information is as follows:
	(a) Financial Services Authority
	As of 1 January 2004. the members of the FSA Board were:
	
		
			 Member Position 
		
		
			 Callum McCarthy Chairman 
			 Stewart Boyd Deputy Chairman, Non-executive Director 
			 John Tiner Chief Executive 
			 Moira Black Non-executive Director 
			 Tom de Swann Non-executive Director 
			 Kyra Hazou Non-executive Director 
			 Michael Foot Executive Director 
			 Deirdre Mutton Non-executive Director 
			 Sir Andrew Large Non-executive Director 
			 Dr. Shamit Saggar Non-executive Director 
			 Steve Thieke Non-executive Director 
			 Clive Wilkinson Non-executive Director 
		
	
	The Chairman is formally appointed to the FSA board for five years and other members for three years. Reappointment is possible for non-executive directors. Executive directors have renewable three year terms of office which coincide with the length of their executive posts at the FSA. Information on the remuneration of board members is published in the FSA annual report. The latest available information is for 2002–03 when the then Chairman received £385,730, Deputy Chairman £45,000, Non-executive directors £20,000 and executive directors between £293,452 to £361,904.
	For a list of members of the VAT and duties tribunal, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him by the Paymaster General on 3 July 2003. The only changes to the membership since then are that Gordon Burnison and Roger Cockfield are no longer members of the panel. Members are appointed for a standard term of five years, at the end of which they may be considered for re-appointment. Members are remunerated a standard fee of £227 for each day sitting.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Heritage Lottery Funding

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Heritage Lottery funding has been awarded to each Lancashire district in each of the last five years.

Estelle Morris: Figures by district are not available. The following is the information by local authority:
	
		
			  Financial year Total for the last five  
			 Local authority 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 financial years 
		
		
			 Burnley 11,550 1,119,000 99,300  64,657 1,294,507 
			 Chorley 221,450 — 28,500 926,600 43,662 1,220,212 
			 Fylde — — 329,000 100,000 36,000 465,000 
			 Hynburn — 221,500 — 24,000 — 245,500 
			 Lancaster — 153,400 329,000 1,746,500 60,630 2,289,530 
			 Pendle 47300 250,000 50,000 — 996,000 1,343,300 
			 Preston 90000 103,548 149,800 2,070,500 485,690 2,899,538 
			 Kibble Valley — 156,000 77,200 15,400 — 248,600 
			 Rossendale 248,500 — — — 165,000 413,500 
			 West Lancashire — — — — 972,500 972,500 
			 Wyre 28,300 — 144,600 — — 172,900

Information Technology

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what audit mechanisms are in place to determine whether information technology (a) hardware and (b) software products are being used properly in her Department.

Richard Caborn: The Department has a range of auditing and monitoring systems in place to ensure that hardware and software are used in accordance with the Department's policies. We have inventory management systems in place for both hardware and software and a metering system monitors all software use. The Department is a corporate member of FAST, the Federation Against Software Theft.
	All internet access is logged along with all e-mail. Systems are configured such only authorised software may be installed. All staff sign the Department's Acceptable Use Policy before being allowed access to the Department's IT systems and resign it on an annual basis thereafter. Our procedures are audited both by the Department's own internal audit function and by independent external auditors on a regular basis.

Information Technology

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what cost savings have been made in her Department since the introduction of the Information Technology Procurement Centre of Excellence; and how these were calculated.

Richard Caborn: The Department has established a Centre of Excellence and is working with its sponsored bodies to ensure that IT procurement is effectively managed. It is too early at present to identify any savings that have accrued.

Royal Family

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the contribution to the economy in terms of revenue from tourism generated by the Royal Family in each of the last three years.

Richard Caborn: We have no rigorous basis on which to estimate the contribution to the economy in terms of revenue from tourism generated by the Royal Family, but that contribution is certainly substantial.
	Significant recent events include the Golden Jubilee in 2002, which proved to be a big draw for visitors from around the world, and the Royal Tourism Day in June 2003.
	In addition to such contributions, some of Britain's most popular attractions are directly associated with the Royal Family, including Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and most recently Clarence House. The Palace and the Tower of London are named more than any other attractions by overseas visitors to London, with about a third of them planning to visit them. The biggest free attraction is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace which is a 'must see' on most visitors' itineraries.

Royal Parks Constabulary

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she plans to brief employees of the Royal Parks Constabulary about the details of its proposed merger with the Metropolitan police and the implications for their terms and conditions.

Richard Caborn: The Government have been unable to find the parliamentary time to bring forward legislation to merge the Royal Parks Constabulary (RPC) with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) during the current parliamentary session. It remains our intention to do so at the earliest possible opportunity. In the meantime we are working closely with the MPS and have provided extra funding to establish from 1 April an MPS Operational Command Unit within the Parks to work alongside the RPC to ensure the Parks continue to be policed effectively. The Chief Executive of The Royal Parks wrote to all RPC staff on 16 January to bring them up-to-date with these plans.

Stonehenge (Parker Plan)

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions (a) her Department and (b) English Heritage have had with the proposers of the Parker Plan for road construction near Stonehenge.

Estelle Morris: holding answer 26 January 2004
	None. In accordance with paragraph 19(1) and (2) of Schedule 1 to the Highways Act 1980, the Highways Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport published a notice directing that anyone who intended to submit an alternative route to the draft Orders for the A303 Trunk Road (Stonehenge Improvement) should do so by 19 December 2003. An alternative, locally known at the 'Parker Plan or Parker Route', has been received and will be considered before an independent inspector at the public inquiry.

UK Sport

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the recent decisions made by UK Sport concerning (a) the departure of leading officials in sports administration and (b) sports funding.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 26 January 2004
	UK Sport recently made the following announcements:
	(a) Richard Callicott has stood down as Chief Executive. Liz Nicholl was appointed in his place, with effect from December 2003.
	(b) UK Sport recently announced changes in its sport funding arrangements. 10 sports have been agreed across the Sports Councils as being of UK wide significance from participation through to success.
	The aim is to support the 10 sports in the development of a One Plan, providing more effective linkages between their UK and home country governing bodies.
	This approach will provide sports with a simplified funding process and help foster improved co-ordination, communication and consultation between UK and home country governing bodies and their partners.

CABINET OFFICE

Civil Service Pensions

Christopher Chope: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will take action to ensure that payments of civil service pensions by Capita Hartshead to retired civil servants resident in France enjoy the same rate of exchange as payments of the state pension; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The rate of exchange for payments in overseas currency is determined by the UK banks responsible for the conversion. The rates offered on any one day may vary from bank to bank, and within each bank depending on the terms and conditions applicable to each customer. However, in view of the relative volume of payments to state pensioners resident overseas, it is unlikely that any bank would offer exactly the same terms and conditions to an occupational pension scheme as those agreed for the state scheme.
	The bank responsible for converting overseas payments for occupational pension schemes administered by Capita Hartshead regularly monitors its rates against those offered by competitors, including those responsible for converting payments for other occupational pension schemes, to ensure it offers a competitive service.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Angola

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to the Government of Angola about ensuring (a) greater transparency in the management of oil revenues and (b) that oil revenues are focused on social programmes in that country.

Hilary Benn: The UK Government are active in promoting greater transparency in oil revenue management in Angola, including through the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative launched by the Prime Minister at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. We are currently in discussions with the Angolan Ministry of Finance on providing technical support so that Angola can develop and adopt legislation to implement the Initiative.
	The UK is also supporting the World Bank's programme to promote greater transparency in the Angolan oil industry. Specifically, DFID is funding an oil expert to take part in the Bank's Public Expenditure Management and Financial Accountability Review (PEMFAR). The results of this review should help clarify financial relationships between the Government, the Central Bank and the state oil company Sonangol. It will also make recommendations on how Angola can adopt transparent, internationally accepted practices in oil revenue management. Finally, the UK is demonstrating its commitment to strengthening Angolan civil society by supporting a coalition of national NGOs active in advocating on transparency issues including oil revenue management.
	Greater fiscal transparency in Angola is only one element in ensuring that more public resources are spent on reducing poverty. With this in mind, DFID funded an economist to help prepare Angola's first ever three-year macro-economic framework which has since been incorporated into the recently published Angolan draft Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The macro-economic framework income is assisting the Government to plan spending increases in the social sectors.
	The UK will continue to work with the Government and people of Angola to ensure that greater transparency in oil revenue management is converted into tangible programmes for poverty reduction.

Angola

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many Angolan refugees in Zambia he estimates will reject the voluntary repatriation programme; and what assessment he has made of the impact this will have on (a) the humanitarian requirements in Zambia and (b) the humanitarian requirements in Angola.

Hilary Benn: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimate that at 30 November 2003 there were a total of 167,184 Angolan refugees in Zambia.
	Under their voluntary repatriation programme, UNHCR estimate that 20,000 Angolans refugees would be repatriated in 2003 and 40,000 in 2004. It is too early to predict how many will reject the voluntary repatriation programme. This will become clearer during the course of 2004, and in the light of UNHCR's discussions with the Government of Zambia over the rights of Angolans to remain in Zambia legally.

Burundi

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to his answer of 19 January 2004, Official Report, column 929W, on Burundi, what assessment he has made of the levels of cholera in the Cibitoke region of Burundi since December 2003.

Hilary Benn: My previous answer was based on information available at that time from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Since then the WHO in Bujumbura has reported 127 cases of cholera, including four deaths in Cibitoke Province since 5 December 2003. The situation is now under control with only one case reported in the past week.
	WHO has also reported that during the past two weeks there have been 35 reported cases of suspected cholera including one death in the province of Bururi. WHO are assessing the situation.

Congo

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if his Department will (a) arrange and (b) fund a delegation of senior former Members of Parliament to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to advise on democracy building.

Hilary Benn: We are in discussion with Members of the Congolese Parliament, groups outside Parliament and the Westminster Foundation here, about the best ways in which the UK can support the strengthening of democracy during the transition in the DRC. For example, we are just beginning an important project with the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa to help develop frameworks for political party development and the democratic functioning of the Parliament. We are also currently considering support to the constitutional process, and possible visits by Congolese politicians to other countries to focus on particular issues of interest. We will keep in view whether a visit by senior former Members of Parliament would be a priority activity for democratic development in the DRC during the short transitional period.

Congo

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the ability of the Democratic Republic of Congo to hold a general election in 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The Electoral Assistance Division of the UN Department of Political Affairs recently completed a feasibility study to assist the transitional Congolese authorities to identify a comprehensive set of options for organising and conducting elections in 2005. The objective is to ensure that the transitional government receives the support necessary to enable it to hold a successful general election at that stage. Experts from the European Commission are also advising the government on options, in consultation with the rest of the international community. DFID is participating in these discussions.

Iraq

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what amounts were spent by his Department on (a) reconstruction of civilian infrastructure and (b) humanitarian relief in the first 100 days following the end of high intensity military operations in Iraq.

Hilary Benn: In the first 100 days after military operations, DFID pledged £100 million to the United Nations Consolidated Appeal. Of this, £65 million was allocated to specific humanitarian programmes including £16 million to the reconstruction of civilian infrastructure. In the same period, DFID committed £32 million to the Red Cross and £6 million to NGOs for humanitarian relief.

Iraq

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of the money pledged by the UK Government at the Madrid Conference has been (a) allocated to reconstruction projects in Iraq and (b) remains uncommitted; and how much money his Department plans to spend in Iraq in each of the next five years.

Hilary Benn: To date, DFID has committed £220 million towards humanitarian and reconstruction work in Iraq, £188 million of which has been allocated to specific activities.
	At the Madrid Conference in October, the UK made a total financial pledge towards Iraq's reconstruction of £544 million for the three years from April 2003. That figure included £38 million as our share of projected European Community spending in Iraq.
	In the current financial year, DFID and other Government Department spending is expected to total £312 million, including £23 million as our share of EC spending. Future UK contributions to Iraq reconstruction are expected to be £134 million in 2004–05 and £98 million in 2005–06. Of these figures, the DFID programme for Iraq reconstruction is expected to account for £91 million and £86 million respectively. The balance is made up of the UK share of currently agreed European Community aid, and other UK Government programmes including the Global Conflict Prevention Pool which is jointly managed by DFID, the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
	No decisions have yet been taken on spending on Iraq beyond 2005–06.

Nigeria

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the supplies of anti-retroviral drugs in Nigeria; and what steps he will take to assist in the event of a shortfall.

Hilary Benn: Supplies of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs in Nigeria are critically low. Most hospitals have run out of ARVs over the past months. This is due to delays in the release of Government funds, and because over 14,000 people were started on a treatment programme designed for 10,000.
	In order to address the situation, President Obassanjo recently approved an extra £2 million for ARVs, and a supply contract is currently being awarded. It is expected that the Global Fund will provide £25 million worth of ARVs, and further supplies have been promised by the United States and the World Health Organisation.
	However, ensuring reliable ARV treatment is not just a question of supply, it is also about strengthening the health system. The Nigerian Health Minister has developed an excellent strategy for reform of the health sector' which DFID plans to support. We are in addition providing £1 million to the National Action Committee on AIDS, which is coordinating the national response.

Preferential Access

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the European Commission proposal that the G20 be invited to give preferential access to products from the poorest countries.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
	All exports from least developed countries (LDCs), with the exception of arms, currently enjoy duty and quota free access to the European Union market under the Everything-but-Arms argument (EBA). Other G8 countries have similar but less extensive arrangements.
	The Government fully supports the commitment by the World Trade Organisation, made in the Doha Declaration in November 2001, to seek an agreement with 'the objective of duty-free, quota-free market access for products originating from LDCs', and the further commitment 'to consider additional measures for progressive improvements in market access for LDCs'. We encourage all members of the World Trade Organisation to deliver on that commitment.

South Africa

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures are in place to provide the poorest families of South Africa with (a) water, (b) power and (c) health facilities.

Hilary Benn: Since the democratic elections in 1994, the South African Government has made extending services to the poor a priority. Their recent review of progress over the last 10 years concludes that much has been achieved while recognising that more remains to be done.
	Since 1994, 8.4 million people have gained access to water, and the government has introduced a Free Basic Water policy under which poor households are entitled to 6,000 litres of water per month free of charge. 3.8 million households have been connected to the electricity grid and the Free Basic Electricity policy entitles poor households to 50 kilowatt hours of electricity per month free of charge. Free access to primary health care has been introduced and investment in health infrastructure has increased significantly.

Sunset Clauses

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on his policy on the use of sunset clauses in legislation; and which Acts containing such clauses relevant to his Department were passed in each year since 1997.

Hilary Benn: The Department for International Development actively promotes the better regulation agenda and the use of sunsetting where appropriate. Two Acts of Parliament have been sponsored by DFID since 1997. They are the Commonwealth Development Corporation Act 1999 and the International Development Act 2002. Neither contained sunset clauses.

Zimbabwe

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on malaria levels in Zimbabwe.

Hilary Benn: In recent months, reported numbers of malaria cases and malaria deaths have been close to the seasonal average. However, the risk of a serious worsening of the malaria situation is increasing owing to incomplete coverage of routine prevention measures and inadequate stocks of antimalarial drugs as the rainy season progresses and the peak season for malaria approaches.
	The ability of the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to control malaria is currently threatened by lack of staff and lack of access to foreign currency for purchase of insecticides and drugs. Zimbabwe is one of the countries that benefits from a grant of £17.3 million over six years provided by DFID to the Africa Regional Office of the World Health Organisation for the purpose of accelerating action to control malaria and childhood illness.

PRIME MINISTER

Iraq

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2004, Official Report, column 1319, on Iraq, when he was first informed of the lack of chemical filters on the tanks and armoured vehicles; what action he took as a result, and when; and when he was informed of the inability of tank crews and crews of other armoured vehicles to wear their personal NBC kit when in their tanks and armoured vehicles.

Tony Blair: In the first instance, issues of this kind are for force commanders in theatre. Troops are trained to operate armoured vehicles wearing their personal NBC equipment, irrespective of whether the vehicle has a collective NBC protection system.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will instruct the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to answer named day questions on the day specified.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Under-Secretary of State, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister gave to him on 26 January.

Vice-chancellor (Buckingham University)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his Oral Answer of 21 January to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard), if he will (a) name the publication from which or person from whom he sourced the quotation from the vice-chancellor and (b) make a statement on the accuracy of the vice-chancellor's quotation.

Tony Blair: The quotation was taken from an article published in The Guardian on Friday 12 December 2003. Copies have been placed in the Library in the House.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Iraq

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards democratic elections in Iraq.

Jack Straw: We are committed to the establishment of a democratic Iraq. On 15 November 2003, the Iraqi Governing Council announced a process for achieving this. This envisages the creation of a sovereign transitional government by 30 June 2004, the holding of direct elections to a Constitutional Convention by March 2005, and, following approval of the constitution, the holding of full democratic elections by the end of 2005. The UN Secretary-General has agreed to consider sending a technical team to Iraq to examine the feasibility of holding elections to the Transitional National Assembly, a move which we welcome.
	A committee of the Governing Council drafted the Statute for the Special Tribunal with assistance from, among others, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) Office of Human rights and Transitional Justice. The UK provided comments on the Statute through the UK Special Representative for Iraq's office and the CPA Office of Human Rights and Transitional Justice. Our comments and advice were focused mainly on the application of international law and the scope of the Tribunal. This drew on the experience of our involvement in other Tribunals including the ICTY, ICTR and Sierra Leone. The UK is considering requests for further assistance.

Iraq

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total value is of (a) contracts so far issued to British companies working on the reconstruction of Iraq and (b) contracts expected to be issued in the next six months.

Mike O'Brien: British companies have won significant sub-contracts for the reconstruction process in Iraq. However, most of the contracting authorities in Iraq do not publish information on contracts awarded, and companies arc not required to notify HMG of contracts won. I am unable to give a total value for contracts awarded to UK companies.
	The Program Management Office of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) will run an open tender process; a number of UK companies are bidding. Sub-contracting opportunities are also likely to arise from this process.

Iraq

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has (a) to second (i) electoral registration officers and (ii) other officials and (b) to provide resources to enable the Iraqi Governing Council to facilitate free and fair elections; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: At a meeting in New York on 19 January between the Iraqi Governing Council and the coalition, Kofi Annan undertook to consider sending a UN technical team to Iraq to look into the feasibility of holding elections. Once we have seen their recommendations, we will consider any requests for assistance.

Israel

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage (a) the Israeli Government to dismantle settlements in the Occupied Territories and (b) the Palestinian Authority to prevent further suicide attacks in Israel.

Bill Rammell: The Government regularly presses the Israeli Government to freeze settlement activity and dismantle outposts in line with Israel's commitments under the Roadmap.
	We also reiterate at every opportunity the need for the Palestinian Authority to take visible steps to degrade terrorist capabilities. My noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean did so in the Occupied Territories on 21–23 January.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the information bulletin being issued to foreign nationals arriving in Israel which informs them that they now require written prior authorisation from the Israeli Government to visit territories under the control of the Palestinian Authority and that failure to obtain such authorisation many result in legal action being taken against them by Israel.

Bill Rammell: We are aware of the information bulletin, which has been issued to foreign nationals arriving in Israel, and are seriously concerned at the possible impact of such restrictions on media, humanitarian organisations, and civil society groups operating in the Occupied Territories. We have raised our concerns with the Israeli Government, and are exploring with our EU partners further avenues for doing so.
	As Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice makes clear, we still advise against travel to the West Bank and Gaza, along Israel's border with Lebanon, and close to the Israeli side of the Israel/Gaza border.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanisms the Israeli Government used to consult the United Kingdom before issuing warnings to British citizens and other foreign nationals arriving in Israel that entry to territories under the control of the Palestinian Authority is now forbidden without written prior authorisation from the Israeli Government and stating that entry to those territories without such written authorisation may result in legal action being taken; and what representations he is making to Israel on the issue.

Bill Rammell: The Israeli Government did not consult directly with the United Kingdom about the entry changes referred to in warnings to foreign nationals arriving in Israel. We have raised our concerns with the Israeli Government, about the possible impact of such restrictions on media, humanitarian organisations, and civil society groups operating in the Occupied Territories, and are exploring with our EU partners further avenues for doing so.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there are alternative entry points to those controlled by the Israeli military for British passport holders visiting territories under the administration of the Palestinian Authority; and what assessment he has made of the implications for the freedom of movement of British passport holders of the introduction by Israel of regulations forbidding foreign nationals entry to Palestinian territories without written prior authorisation from the Israeli Government and stating that entry to those territories without such written authorisation may result in legal action being taken.

Bill Rammell: There are no alternative entry points to the Occupied Territories to those covered by the new regulations. We have raised our concerns with the Israeli Government about the possible impact of such restrictions on media, humanitarian organisations, and civil society groups operating in the Occupied Territories, and are exploring with our EU partners further avenues for doing so.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he plans to have with his EU counterparts about the introduction by Israel of regulations forbidding foreign nationals entry to territories under the control of the Palestinian Authority without written prior authorisation from the Israeli Government.

Bill Rammell: The Government have raised the issue of changes to entry regulations for the Occupied Territories with fellow EU members. They share our concerns about the possible impact of such restrictions on media, humanitarian organisations, and civil society groups operating in the area. We have raised our concerns with the Israeli Government and are exploring with our EU partners further avenues for doing so.

Guantanamo Bay

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in securing proper judicial process for the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.

Chris Mullin: The focus of the Government's discussions with the United States Administration has been on how to resolve the position of the British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay. All legal proceedings against the British detainees are currently suspended. The Government have made clear to the United States our view that any trial procedure the British detainees may face must be fair and meet generally recognised principles.
	The position on the Government's discussions with the US remains as the Prime Minister explained to the House on 7 January.
	"Talks are continuing on the issue...I hope that we will shortly be able to tell the House how the issue will be handled."

Hamdi Acikgoz

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the application by Mr. Hamdi Acikgoz, in Istanbul, for a visa to visit the United Kingdom.

Chris Mullin: As my hon. Friend is aware I cannot disclose details of individual entry clearance cases. I am therefore withholding the information requested under Exemption 5 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. I wrote to my hon. Friend about this case on 23 December. I would be happy to discuss it further with him privately.

Occupied Territories

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning restrictions on movement within and into the Occupied Palestinian Territories by (a) Palestinians and (b) foreign nationals; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We have received a number of representations from MPs, Peers, non-governmental organisations and members of the public concerning restrictions on movement within and into the Occupied Territories for both Palestinians and foreign nationals. Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nabil Sha'ath, also raised his concerns about the impact of the fence, which contributes to curtailed freedom of movement, with the Foreign Secretary on 8 January.
	We remain deeply concerned about the consequences for freedom of movement into and within the Occupied Territories for Palestinians and foreign nationals resulting from Israeli actions, including the imposition of curfews and closures, construction of the fence and introduction of access controls, including permits. We continue to call on the Government of Israel to do all it can to ease movement restrictions. We have raised the recently introduced entry regulations with the Israeli government and are exploring with our EU partners further avenues for doing so.

The Netherlands

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Dutch Government on prospects for a referendum in the Netherlands on a proposed European Constitution; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: I have regular discussions with my EU counterparts on a wide range of aspects of the IGC. The question of whether to hold a referendum on the Constitutional Treaty is a matter for individual governments themselves, according to their constitutional traditions.
	As I have made clear in the House before, we have no plans to hold a referendum.

Palestinian Authority

David Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Palestinian Authority concerning terrorism.

Bill Rammell: We regularly discuss the security situation with our contacts at all levels in the Palestinian Authority.
	Most recently, my noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean discussed the need for the Palestinian Authority to fulfil its roadmap commitments on security, and intensify its efforts to tackle groups and individuals engaging in terrorist activity when she visited the Occupied Territories on 21–23 January.

Burma

Iain Luke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Burma.

Mike O'Brien: We remain concerned about the political situation in Burma. Although the Burmese regime's plans for a National Convention are a step forward, the process needs to be inclusive and transparent, involving representatives from the democratic opposition and the ethnic groups. Convention participants must be allowed full freedom of speech, movement and political activity. As a first step Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLD colleagues must be fully released and NLD offices re-opened.

Civil Servants

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much space, expressed in square metres, the Department occupies for the offices of civil servants in (a) central London and (b) Greater London.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office occupies a total of 54,558 square metres in central London, and 3,116 square metres in Greater London.

Ethiopia/Eritrea

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the visit by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Chris Mullin: I visited Ethiopia and Eritrea from 13 to 19 January. My programme included meetings with President Isaias of Eritrea and Prime Minister Meles of Ethiopia. We discussed a range of issues, including the border dispute between the two countries. I stressed the importance of avoiding any return to war, implementing the Boundary Commission decision, and building confidence between the two parties by the establishment of a dialogue.

European Constitution

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what form minutes were taken of the Intergovernmental Conference on the European Constitution; who took them; to whom they are available; and where they are available.

Denis MacShane: No minutes were taken of any meetings during the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), although the Italian presidency published revised Treaty texts following some of the meetings. These are available on the Italian presidency website: www.ueitalia.it The European Council Conclusions issued by the Italian presidency are the only formal statement of progress in the IGC to date.

European Union

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's position is on the United Kingdom's rebate in the context of the negotiations on the EU's multi- annual financial framework; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: Initial discussion of the next financial perspective should begin next month, after the Commission publishes its future financing communication. The current financial perspective expires at the end of 2006, and the Government look forward to the successful negotiation of a new financial perspective, for the period beginning in 2007. The Government believe that the rebate remains fully justified as a fair means of redressing the UK's disproportionate high net contribution to the EC Budget.

European Union

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to implement the transitional restrictions which the UK can apply in regard to the nationals of the EU accession countries.

Denis MacShane: Under the EU Accession Treaty, nationals of Cyprus and Malta have the same rights to work in another member state as are currently enjoyed by nationals of the existing member states. However, nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia ("the eight relevant states" are subject to transitional provisions.
	Under the transitional arrangements, until 30 April 2006 member states are free to apply national measures or bilateral agreements restricting the rights of nationals from the eight relevant states to work in their country. From 1 May 2006, member states must either grant these nationals the right to move freely for the purpose of work in accordance with Community law, or continue to apply national measures or bilateral agreements. Any grant of this right may, however, be subject to suspensions if the member state undergoes or foresees disturbances to its labour market which could seriously threaten the standard of living or level of employment in a particular region or occupation Such suspensions may last, at the latest, until 30 April 2011.
	In line with its announcement of December 2002, the Government intend to grant citizens of the eight relevant states the right to work freely in the UK labour market from 1 May 2004. Section 2 of the EU (Accessions) Act 2003 provides a power to make regulations to give effect to this decision. The Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/2326), which currently implement Community law rights of European Economic Area (EEA) nationals to enter and reside in the UK, will be applied to nationals of the eight relevant states as they apply to nationals of the EEA.
	From accession the Government will be monitoring the effect of their decision on the UK labour market. In the unexpected event of a large influx of workers to the UK, which seriously threaten the level of employment or standard of living in a particular region or occupation, there are safeguards available to re-impose restrictions on workers. The Government could, in the normal way, re-impose restrictions on some or all of the eight relevant states by repealing or suspending the application of any regulations made under the Act and could exclude nationals of one or more of the eight relevant states from the right to work in the UK under powers contained in the Act.

Genocide

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the international community is taking to prevent crimes of genocide.

Bill Rammell: The creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 11 March 2003 is an important step forward by the international community to prevent genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The court has jurisdiction over crimes committed since 1 July 2002. The UK is a strong supporter of the court. Our objective is to work for global ratification of the ICC Statute so that the court enjoys the widest possible remit.
	I am attending the Stockholm Forum on the Prevention of Genocide from 26–28 January 2004, at which more than 30 states will discuss possible measures to prevent genocide. The UK is supporting the Forum Declaration, which seeks to build consensus around how the international community can best carry forward this agenda.

Gibraltar

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Government policy on Gibraltar.

Denis MacShane: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) on 16 December 2003, Official Report, column 1417.

Information Technology

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what audit mechanisms are in place to determine whether information technology (a) hardware and (b) software products are being used properly in his Department.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office uses a number of means to determine whether its IT is being used properly. These include:
	constantly monitoring activity on the IT infrastructure system, Firecrest, including access to websites, and following up any unusual activity;
	information systems audits by our internal audit department;
	requiring all IT users to read and complete an annual certificate of compliance with the security operating procedures; and
	checks by IT security advisers that security operating procedures are being followed.
	Post implementation reviews are conducted after a project to deliver new IT has finished, to assess whether the expected benefits are being achieved. The way the system is being used is one aspect of this assessment.

Information Technology

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what cost savings have been made in his Department since the introduction of the Information Technology Procurement Centre of Excellence; and how these were calculated.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Centre of Excellence was established in June 2003 in accordance with Office of Government Commerce guidelines. It has had a positive impact in improving programme and project management across the FCO, but cost savings cannot be calculated at this early stage.

International Criminal Court

David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a) budget and (b) UK contribution to the budget for the International Criminal Court (i) is for the current year and (ii) will be for each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The total International Criminal Court (ICC) budget for the calendar year 2004 is approximately £39.5 million. The UK is expected to contribute some 11 per cent. of this sum i.e. approximately £4.3 million.
	The ICC budgets for the next five years have yet to be set. The Court has not yet reached its full establishment and its caseload also remains an unknown budgetary factor.
	The United Kingdom nevertheless remains committed to maintaining the strictest possible budgetary control and ensuring the ICC makes the most effective use of the funds at its disposal.
	The United Nations' scales of assessments, on which the UK contribution is based, are recalculated every two years and follow the general principle of capacity to pay. We would not expect great fluctuation in this rate.

Libya

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new resources he is committing to assist Libya is undertaking the disarmament and dismantling of its weapons of mass destruction and related research and production infrastructure.

Denis MacShane: We have made it clear that we are prepared to offer assistance with the dismantlement of Libyan programmes, but at this stage it is impossible to quantify what resources it may be necessary to commit. There are already a number of sources of funding for global co-operative threat reduction programmes. If it is necessary to allocate additional resources in order to assist Libya in the destruction of its weapons programmes we will do so, as we believe that money spent on reducing the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction is money well spent.

Libya

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government first confirmed that Libya was developing nuclear weapons contrary to its commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT); when the United Kingdom informed the governments of the two other depository states for the NPT of its knowledge of Libya's breach of its NPT commitments; when the United Kingdom first informed (a) the Director General and (b) board members of the International Atomic Energy Agency of its knowledge of Libya's nuclear programme; and what information he has collated on the suppliers of Libya's nuclear weapons programme.

Denis MacShane: We have had concerns for some time about Libya's nuclear programme and first raised the matter in the course of discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in late 2001, and again in mid 2002. Libya is now in contact with the IAEA and it will be for Libya to make a national declaration providing the full details of its programme to the IAEA. The IAEA will then proceed to verify the extent and nature of Libya's covert nuclear activity. Only the IAEA, acting within its remit can underwrite Libya's commitment to stop this activity. We are working in close co-operation with both the Libyan authorities and the IAEA to move this process forward.

Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent communications he has had with the governments of the (a) overseas territories and (b) crown dependencies.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary addressed and exchanged views with Chief Ministers and Government leaders of the UK Overseas Territories at the annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council meeting in London on 10 December 2003.
	He has had no recent communications with the crown dependencies. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs is responsible for the United Kingdom's relations with the crown dependencies.

Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how often he communicated with the governments of Britain's overseas territories in the last three years.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Gibraltar in May 2002, and has been in direct contact with the Chief Minister on several occasions over the last three years. He communicated directly with the governments of the other overseas territories when he addressed Chief Ministers and their equivalents at the annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council in London on 10 December 2003.
	I maintain regular contact with the overseas territories as does my hon. Friend the Minister for Europe as Minister of State responsible for Gibraltar. Governors, of course, are in constant contact with the governments of the overseas territories.

Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of administering Britain's overseas territories is in 2003–04.

Bill Rammell: According to the published, audited 2002–03 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Resource Accounts, available in the Library of the House, the total cost of supporting the overseas territories in 2002–03 was approximately £21 million (ref: Objective 9, Schedule 57 FCO Resource Accounts). This is the full economic cost of supporting the overseas territories, and represents the cost of the total effort expended at post/missions and in the UK of supporting the overseas territories. The costs in 2003–04 are expected to be about the same.
	It is not possible to quantify the costs to other Government Departments of their role in administering the overseas territories.

Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit overseas territories over the next year.

Bill Rammell: Overseas engagements for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers are kept under constant review. It is not practice to announce such visits until they are firm. Because of the unpredictable nature of world events, final decisions on overseas visits are often not possible until very shortly before the day of travel.
	I visited Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands in November 2003, and I hope to visit others in the future. My hon. Friend the Minister for Europe visited Gibraltar in July 2003.

Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the London office of the governments of (a) the Falkland Islands, (b) Gibraltar and (c) the Cayman Islands during the last 12 months.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no direct discussions with the London offices of the governments of the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar or the Cayman Islands during the last 12 months. The Foreign Secretary addressed the Overseas Territories Consultative Council in December 2003, which the London representatives attended.
	I met the London representatives at the Overseas Territories Consultative Council last December. The London representative of the Falkland Islands Government also attended a meeting between myself and Falkland Island Councillor Richard Cockwell in June 2003. I will have a further opportunity to meet the representatives at a lunch prior to the UK Overseas Territories Association AGM next month.

State Visits

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what plans he has to accompany Her Majesty the Queen on State visits in the next two years;
	(2)  what overseas visits are planned for Her Majesty the Queen during the next two years.

Jack Straw: Her Majesty The Queen announced in her Gracious Speech at the State Opening of Parliament that she is to make a State Visit to France from 5 to 7 April 2004 to mark the official start of events commemorating the Centenary of the Entente Cordiale. I will accompany her on that visit.
	At the Anglo/French summit on 24 November 2003, Her Majesty was invited by President Chirac of France to attend the 60th anniversary commemoration of the Normandy Landings on 6 June.
	Beyond that, the forward programme of visits by Her Majesty is not yet finalised. In the normal course of events I would accompany Her Majesty on State Visits, as I did on Her Majesty's State visit to Nigeria in December 2003.

Ukraine

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what records (a) his Department has and (b) have been released on the extent to which the Department was aware of the scale of loss of life as a result of Soviet policy in the Ukraine in 1932–33; whether all relevant documentation has been released; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: Records relating to Soviet policy in the Ukraine in 1932–33 are contained in the archives of the Foreign Office's then Northern Department. There are approximately 65 files, all of which have long been in the public domain at The National Archives. No papers have been withheld from these files. Indeed, some documents pertaining to the famine were published in the FCO's official series "Documents on British Foreign Policy 1919–39" in 1958 (Series II, Volume VII).

UN Security Council Resolution 1325

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is in relation to UN Security Council Resolution 1325, with particular reference to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bill Rammell: The United Kingdom is committed to working towards the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) and ensuring that the necessary mechanisms are in place for monitoring progress.
	The situation of Afghan women and girls has developed significantly in the last two years. On 5 March 2003, Afghanistan ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
	23 per cent. of the delegates to the Constitutional Loya Jirga were women from across Afghanistan. Articles 22, 43 and 44 of the new constitution, agreed on 4 January, establish equal rights for men and women, which also reflected many of the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on violence against women. The Afghan Transitional Administration and international community are committed to providing the security and resources needed to support implementation of the new constitution, and to develop effective mechanisms to tackle continuing human rights violations and abuses, including those against women.
	The UK is working to encourage Afghan women to take their rightful role in the forthcoming elections. This includes ensuring that women and men are included in voter registration programmes, that they develop the capacities to participate as campaigners and officials and that women are empowered to take advantage of their quotas for representation in Parliament.
	We are also supporting the Afghan Judicial Commission in its work to improve access to justice for all Afghan communities, taking into account the special needs of women.
	The UK actively seeks to deploy female British officers to peacekeeping missions and other conflict prevention/resolution operations. This has included a senior gender expert working with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Baghdad, We try to ensure that those members of the various UK teams in Iraq, especially those working in or with the CPA, are fully briefed on the gender aspects of their work. The UK's Special Representative, Sir Jeremy Greenstock recently met my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Minister for Women and Equality, a representative group of Iraqi women, and representatives of UK non-governmental organisations, including the Women's National Commission, active in the field.
	Encouraging Iraqi women to participate fully in the reconstruction of their country is a key aim of the Government's conflict prevention strategy for Iraq.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Reinstatement Committees

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2004, Official Report, column 922W, on reinstatement committees, if she will make a statement on the training regime undergone by members of employment tribunals, with particular reference to reinstatement committees.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There is little to add to my previous answer. The chairmen of employment tribunals are trained to research the relevant law as necessary before any hearing and to give guidance to the lay members on the relevant legal principles and their application to any particular case.

Business Link

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Business Link organisations are in operation; and how much money was spent by each of them in each year since their formation.

Nigel Griffiths: There are 42 Business Link Operators (BLOs) delivering local business support services in 45 sub-regions in England, with three BLOs operating in two areas.
	The following table shows the total expenditure on BL branded activity by sub region including that supported by non-DTI funding, for the last two financial years. The Business Link network was re-engineered and the new BLOs operational from 26 March 2001.
	
		BLO expenditure 2001–02 and 2002–03 -- £
		
			  Expenditure 
			 BLO sub-region 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 North East   
			 County Durham 2,652,539 3,441,153 
			 Northumberland 2,300,765 2,878,904 
			 Tees Valley 4,141,342 5,088,231 
			 Tyne and Wear 5,736,800 9,064,600 
			
			 North West   
			 Cumbria 22,221,795 3,859,512 
			 North and Western Lancashire 4,192,499 5,917,278 
			 East Lancashire 2,715,866 4,362,073 
			 Cheshire and Warrington 4,978,535 4,551,754 
			 Chamber Business Enterprises (Manchester) 8,492,135 9,777,677 
			 North Manchester 6,891,700 7,471,532 
			 Merseyside 5,736,436 7,629,197 
			
			 Yorkshire and Humberside   
			 West Yorkshire 5,637,164 11,184,242 
			 South Yorkshire 8,910,014 17,458,068 
			 North Yorkshire 3,085,540 4,661,500 
			 Humberside 2,575,720 5,738,901 
			
			 East Midlands   
			 Derbyshire 4,782,666 4,697,023 
			 Leicestershire—Holistico 4,188,328 4,875,594 
			 Lincolnshire and Rutland 5,313,827 4,844,585 
			 Northamptonshire 2,296,407 3,043,415 
			 Nottinghamshire 5,042,214 4,005,441 
			
			 West Midlands   
			 Birmingham 21,286,000 15,048,000 
			 Black Country 6,183,900 6,854,500 
			 Coventry and Warwickshire 7,271,320 6,115,000 
			 Herefordshire and Worcestershire 6,787,260 8,530,417 
			 Staffordshire 5,031,346 5,744,896 
			 Shropshire 7,403,534 5,564,642 
			
			 Eastern   
			 Bedford and Luton 2,762,644 2,899,920 
			 Cambridgeshire 2,874,000 3,315,500 
			 Essex 6,515,145 7,185,428 
			 Hertfordshire 7,462,930 8,191,000 
			 Norfolk 3,182,360 4,441,582 
			 Suffolk 3,638,867 4,149,373 
			
			 London   
			 London 36,966,000 38,236,000 
			
			 South East   
			 Berkshire 4,546,742 3,970,419 
			 Milton Keynes, Oxford, Buckinghamshire 5,739,010 5,741,967 
			 Sussex 7,706,000 6,986,000 
			 Hampshire 6,332,070 6,974,849 
			 Kent 9,763,000 9,532,683 
			 Surrey 5,727,780 6,207,269 
			 South West   
			 Devon and Cornwall 21,168,965 11,280,448 
			 Dorset 3,344,765 3,250,151 
			 West 4,894,858 5,696,502 
			 Gloucestershire 4,708,576 4,001,183 
			 Somerset 3,382,154 3,151,337 
			 Wiltshire 3,720,061 3,472,052 
		
	
	Based upon quarterly financial returns provided by BLOs to the Small Business Service, DTI.

Emissions Trading Directive

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions her Department has had with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding the EU Emissions Trading Directive.

Stephen Timms: Defra and DTI have a joint public service agreement that commits to moving towards a 20 per cent. reduction in CO2 emissions by 2010. The EU ETS represents a central element in Government plans for reducing emissions. DTI and Defra have worked together very closely, with other Government Departments and the Devolved Administrations, to ensure that the appropriate arrangements are in place for the successful implementation of the EU ETS.

Emissions Trading Directive

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department has made of the impact that the EU Emissions Trading Directive will have on the United Kingdom glass industry.

Stephen Timms: The EU Emissions trading scheme (ETS) is a cost-effective approach to ensuring emissions of greenhouse gas fall to target levels. The impact on individual sectors has been considered during work to prepare for the introduction of the EU ETS. A draft National Allocation Plan has been released and sectors will be able to comment on the allocation proposed for them. Analytical work on the competitiveness implications will also be released shortly.

Insolvency Service

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed by the Insolvency Service; and how many were employed in 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: As at 1 January 2004, the full time equivalent number of staff employed by the Insolvency Service was 1,634.
	The number of staff employed in the Insolvency Service in earlier years is published in the agency's Annual Report and Accounts.

Insolvency Service

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what complaints she has received on the operation of the Insolvency Service in the last three years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The number of complaints received by the Insolvency Service in the last three years, and the nature of those complaints, is set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Nature of complaint 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Quality 350 400 342 
			 Efficiency 86 43 32 
			 Legislation 190 97 61

Internet Usage

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to encourage use of the internet by those who have said that a lack of (a) knowledge, (b) confidence and (c) interest was a barrier to use.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	A network of over 6,000 UK online centres offer free or low cost internet access, especially for those who may need additional support to get online. A December 2003 report on CMF funded centres, found that centres are successfully helping users improve their confidence (79 per cent.) and learn new skills (84 per cent.). The 'Get Started' campaign, which promoted the benefits of the internet to disinterested groups, helped drive nearly 37,000 people to UK online centres for a free internet starter session.
	We have recently published guidelines to help employers implement Home Computing Initiatives. HCI schemes promote home computer access and use which can help reach out to individuals who are less confident with technology.

IT Contracts

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list information technology contracts in her Department with a value of above £20 million in each of the last 10 years; what the inception date for each system was; when it became fully functional; when it became fully debugged; and what the cost of over-runs has been.

Stephen Timms: The Department has directly let one IT contract with a lifetime value of more than £20 million in the last 10 years. This is the ELGAR PFI contract for the provision of IT desktop, application support and development, and business re-engineering services. The contract was awarded on 27 November 1998 and the initial desk top service became operational on 31 March 1999, as planned. System Acceptance testing of the new desk top service was completed on 30 November 1999, and the system became fully functional on 31 March 2000. Following user acceptance testing, the system was accepted by the Department and the system was fully debugged by 15 July 2000. There were no additional costs to the Department for over-runs on this migration.
	A Service for the provision of Electronic Records Management was also supplied under the ELGAR contract. The inception date for this was 30 March 2001, the system became fully functional on 30 November 2001 and it was fully debugged by 30 April 2002. There was no overun on costs.

Manufacturing Employment

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many manufacturing jobs have been (a) created and (b) lost in (i) Cambridgeshire and (ii) Huntingdon in each of the last three years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Djanogly, dated 27 January 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on manufacturing jobs in Cambridgeshire and Huntingdon. (146447)
	Figures are not available for jobs created or lost, but the net changes from year to year in numbers of jobs can be determined from the Annual Business Inquiry (ABI). The most recent figures available are set out in the attached table.
	
		Net annual change in number of manufacturing jobs in Cambridgeshire and Huntingdon, 2000–02
		
			  Cambridgeshire Huntingdon Local Authority District 
		
		
			 2000 196 -322 
			 2001 70 -576 
			 2002 -1,299 -887 
		
	
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the ABI are subject to sampling variability.

Market Access

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it is her policy to seek to extend duty-free and quota-free access for all least developed countries exports into all developed countries as part of a development friendly agreement with the World Trade Organisation.

Mike O'Brien: All exports from least developed countries (LDCs), with the exception of arms, currently enjoy duty and quota free access to the European Union market under the Everything-but-Arms argument (EBA). Other G8 countries have similar but less extensive arrangements.
	The Government fully support the commitment by the World Trade Organisation, made in the Doha Declaration in November 2001, to seek an agreement with 'the objective of duty-free, quota-free market access for products originating from LDCs', and the further commitment 'to consider additional measures for progressive improvements in market access for LDCs'. We encourage all members of the World Trade Organisation to deliver on that commitment.

Post Office Account Cards

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will set out the circumstances in which her Department authorises Post Office counter clerks to (a) reject and (b) confiscate Post Office account cards; and on how many occasions this has happened.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 26 January 2004
	The Department of Trade and Industry has no role in the operation of the Post Office card account, which is a commercial matter that falls within the day-to-day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Post Offices

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices have closed in Brent in each year since 1979.

Stephen Timms: Decisions on post office closures are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon Member.

Post Offices

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices there were in England and Wales (a) in 1996 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: I understand from Post Office Ltd. that as at end September 2003, the latest quarter for which figures are currently available, that the numbers of post offices in England was 12,938 and Wales was 1,318.
	The Department does not have the corresponding historical figures for 1996 and I have asked the Chief Executive of the company to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Post Offices

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of each of the completed public consultations on proposed post office closures in Wales.

Stephen Timms: Decisions on post office closure proposals following public consultation are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Regional Development Agencies

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent by each of the regional development agencies in each year since their formation.

Jacqui Smith: Eight RDAs were established in 1998 and their first full year of operation was in 19992000. The London Development agency was established in 200001. The table as follows shows the RDAs grant allocation and expenditure for each of the financial years between 19992000 and 200203 and their initial allocations for 200304.
	
		 million
		
			  19992000 200001 
			 RDA Allocation Expenditure Allocation Expenditure 
		
		
			 Advantage West Midlands 108 103 124 113 
			 East of England 30 30 40 36 
			 East Midlands 46 41 77 67 
			 London N/a N/a 268 235 
			 North West 141 141 159 156 
			 ONE North East 92 92 101 98 
			 South East 64 63 75 73 
			 South West of England 43 43 63 62 
			 Yorkshire Forward 121 121 148 125 
			 Total 645 636 1,054 965 
		
	
	
		 million
		
			  200102 200203 200304 
			 RDA Allocation Expenditure Allocation Expenditure Allocation 
		
		
			 Advantage West Midlands 171 141 205 204 221 
			 East of England 63 55 89 88 85 
			 East Midlands 97 86 102 101 118 
			 London 289 266 296 295 291 
			 North West 277 270 275 274 318 
			 ONE North East 163 156 193 193 219 
			 South East 111 97 115 112 123 
			 South West of England 92 85 103 103 101 
			 Yorkshire Forward 246 207 211 211 243 
			 Total 1,508 1,363 1,589 1,581 1,719 
		
	
	Note
	These figures are the grant paid to Agencies and expenditure funded by grant. The Agencies total income will also include EU grants, receipts from sales of property and rental income.
	DTI's own contribution to the RDAs was 2 million in 19992000, 17 million in 200001, 57 million in 200102, 161 million in 200203 and 177.7 million in 200304.

Sugar

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether she has received proposals from the European Commission on reform of the sugar regime; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply.
	The European Commission published a Communication on reform of the sugar regime in September 2003 outlining three broad options for political debate in preparation for making legislative proposals later this year. The UK stakeholder consultation on these broad options closed on 16 January 2004 and the Government are currently considering the various responses received.

Work-Life Balance

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many and what percentage of working parents requesting (a) flexible working and (b) adoption leave since April 2003 were women.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There are no requirements to notify DTI people on the number of men or women who have requested flexible working or adoption leave since April 2003.
	The preliminary findings of the 2003 DTI Work-Life Balance Survey of employees suggest that one in six employees (17 per cent.) had approached their employer (in the previous two years) to make a request to change how they regularly work for a sustained period of time. These requests were most likely to be made by women, mothers, parents whose youngest child was under two-years-old and those in services and sales, and least likely by older employees (45+ years) and full-time workers.
	As part of the Department's monitoring of the new laws for working parents it is collecting evidence from number of sources to build up a picture of the demand and uptake, of flexible working.
	The Department has commissioned questions on the take-up of flexible working which currently appear in the Office for National Statistics Omnibus Survey. The results of these will be available in spring 2004. In addition the Department is working with key intermediaries, such as Working Families and Maternity Alliance who are collating data through member/support surveys, to obtain qualitative evidence to support the quantitative research under way.
	There are less than 4,000 adoptions a year and given that statutory adoption leave was introduced only in April 2003 it is far too early to make any assessment of take-up.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Council Tax

Paul Goodman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what central guidance is issued by his Department in relation to the display by local councils of the qualifying rules for council tax disability reduction, with particular reference to occupants of Band A properties with disabilities.

Nick Raynsford: The Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating (Demand Notices) (England) Regulations 2003 requires the explanatory notes to contain a general indication as to the circumstances in which a person may be eligible for the purposes of the Council Tax (Reductions for Disabilities) Regulations 1992. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has issued no central guidance.

Council Tax

Nick Harvey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account he will take of the Budget Red Book's estimate for the rise in council tax revenues in 200405 in determining the level of council tax rises at which he will exercise capping powers.

Nick Raynsford: In order to consider public expenditure in the round, the Treasury does make projections of council tax yield for future years. These projections are based on a number of assumptions about changes in the council tax rate, the tax base, the collection rate and council tax benefit payments. It would be wrong for the Treasury to make a detailed forecast of council tax rates, as these are set by local authorities, not by the Government. The rate is therefore assumed to rise in line with past trend.
	This does not represent a judgment by the Government on a likely or acceptable level of council tax, and has no effect whatsoever on grant allocations to local authorities.
	With the significant extra investment the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister put into local government and the scope for efficiency improvements, our view is that local authorities can and should deliver council tax increases in low single figures in 200405.

Local Government Pension Scheme

Christopher Chope: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the review of the Local Government Pension Scheme began; when it will be concluded; and when the conclusions will be published.

Phil Hope: A programme of work to ensure the Local Government Pension scheme in England and Wales continues to provide reasonable pensions at an affordable cost to employers, members and tax payers has been under way since October 2002. Changes to the scheme's current regulatory framework are programmed to take effect in April 2004 and in April 2005, within a strategy framework announced in July 2003. Proposals to ensure the sustainability of the scheme for the longer term will be circulated later this year.

Cambridgeshire Schools Budget

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on what date he was informed of the intention of the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to direct Cambridgeshire County Council to increase its school budget by 4.5 million.

Nick Raynsford: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has regular discussions with the Department for Education and Skills, including on the possible use of the power to set a minimum schools budget for a local authority.

Fire and Rescue Service

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister under what powers he would implement the regionalisation of the Fire Service in Essex without the consent of Essex County Council.

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister under what powers he would implement the regionalisation of the Fire Service in Hereford and Worcester without the consent of Herefordshire and Worcestershire county councils.

Nick Raynsford: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Members for Buckingham, Taunton, North Thanet, North Wiltshire, Runnymede and Weybridge, South-East Cambridgeshire, Brentwood and Ongar, Poole and Spelthorne on 22 January 2004, Official Report, column 1458W.

Fire and Rescue Service

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what research he has assessed that indicates that the optimum structure for the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is one based on the existing Government Office West Midlands Region.

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what research relating to Essex he has commissioned to provide the evidential basis for his plans to regionalise the Fire Service;
	(2)  what research he has assessed that indicates that the optimum structure for the Essex Fire and Rescue Service is one based on the existing Government Office East of England Region.

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what research relating to Staffordshire he has commissioned to provide the evidential basis for his plans to regionalise the Fire and Rescue Service.

Nick Raynsford: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Members for Buckingham, Taunton, North Thanet, North Wiltshire, Runnymede and Weybridge, South-East Cambridgeshire, Brentwood and Ongar, Poole and Spelthorne on 22 January 2004, Official Report, column 1453W.

Fire and Rescue Service

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the change in the number of jobs in Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service that will be consequent on the proposed regionalisation of the Fire and Rescue Service;
	(2)  what change in the number of managerial jobs he expects to result from the regionalisation of the Fire Service in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the change in the number of jobs in Essex Fire and Rescue Service that will be consequent on the proposed regionalisation of the Fire and Rescue Service;
	(2)  what change in the number of managerial jobs he expects to result from the regionalisation of the Fire Service in Essex.

Nick Raynsford: I refer the hon. Members to the answer given to the hon. Members for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow), Taunton (Mr. Flook), North Thanet (Mr. Gale), North Wiltshire (Mr. Gray), Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr. Hammond), South-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice), Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles), Poole (Mr. Syms) and Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 22 January 2004, Official Report, column 1456W.

Fire and Rescue Service

Mark Field: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Greater London Authority on his plans to regionalise the Fire and Rescue Service.

Nick Raynsford: The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority already operates on a region wide basis.

Fire and Rescue Service

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many retained firefighters were employed by the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service on 1 January.

Nick Raynsford: Information provided by the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service shows that there were 384 retained firefighters employed by them on 15 January 2004 (including 19 volunteers).

Housing

David Kidney: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local housing authorities in England have published a housing strategy; and how many of the published strategies contain policies for reducing the incidence of empty homes.

Keith Hill: All local housing authorities in England have housing strategies. Information on the number which include specific policies on empty homes is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Housing

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the provision of affordable housing; and what plans he has to improve its availability.

Keith Hill: The Government is acutely aware of the difficulties associated with shortages of good quality housing at an affordable price. A programme of action to address this, and to tackle poor condition housing and low demand and abandonment, was set out in Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future, launched on 5 February 2003. The programme for affordable housing focuses on: improving the effectiveness of the planning system; the establishment of four growth areas to alleviate the overall housing pressures in London and surrounding areas; and targeted limitations on the right to buy. In addition Kate Barker, a member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, is carrying out a review of issues underlying the lack of supply and responsiveness of housing in the UK.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has increased the funding for provision of additional affordable housing through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme to around 5 billion for the three years 200304 to 200506; 1 billion of this will be spent on housing for key workers. Some 600 million is being made available over the same period to support work in the growth areas which will be used for site assembly/remediation of brownfield land and infrastructure as well as providing additional affordable housing.

Housing

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has for the re-development of council-owned housing estates during the next 10 years.

Keith Hill: The Sustainable Communities Plan sets out the policies, resources and partnerships necessary to transform our communities. This includes the steps we are taking to regenerate council-owned housing estates, for example, through the work of the market renewal pathfinders, our decent homes policy and through various liveability initiatives.
	Key among these are:
	500 million over the next two years to secure transformation of housing markets in stock in nine areas where demand is particularly weak. All of the nine market renewal pathfinder project intervention areas contain a mixture of social and private sector housing. The pathfinder schemes are being designed in such a way as to bring major benefits both in terms of improving demand for housing and reaching decent homes target;
	a commitment to ensuring that all social housing is made decent by 2010. In delivering this commitment, local authorities are encouraged to ensure the outcome is sustainable in the long term by taking a view about the future demand for their council estates. Therefore in some areas delivery may be achieved through a mixture of demolition, re-modelling and refurbishment; and
	201 million for programmes to create more liveable places and improve the local environment for communities.
	In addition, the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal is helping to tackle multiple deprivation in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country with a focus on the five key themes of crime, health, employment, education, and housing and the physical environment. For instance, housing interventions as part of the New Deal for Communities programme include renovating houses, the development of master plans for housing, elimination of vacant and derelict housing and redevelopment projects.

Housing

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average waiting time is for a person to be re-housed in Chorley for (a) all housing and (b) old age pensioner housing.

Keith Hill: The average waiting time for people to be re-housed by Chorley Borough Council is tabled as follows:
	
		Average wait to be re-housed (days)
		
			  All housing OAP Statutory homeless 
		
		
			 200001 245 402 67 
			 200102 244 425 43 
			 200203 270 377 89 
			 200304 244 331 135

Housing

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the waiting list figures are in Chorley for (a) all housing and (b) old age pensioner housing for each of the last five years.

Keith Hill: The waiting list figures for Chorley Borough Council in each the last five years are tabled as follows:
	
		Current waiting list figures (houses)
		
			  OAP Others Total Homeless applications Total 
		
		
			 19992000 83 112 195 Unknown 195 
			 200001 110 257 367 459 826 
			 200102 133 507 640 508 1,148 
			 200203 191 937 1,128 493 1,621 
			 200304 270 1,385 1,655 434 2,089

New Build (Chorley)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the amount of brownfield land available for new build in Chorley.

Keith Hill: The 2002 National Land Use Database of Previously Developed Land shows a reported 310 hectares of previously developed land potentially available for development in Chorley. This includes 188 hectares of vacant or derelict land and buildings, and 122 hectares currently in use with the potential for redevelopment.

Permitted Development Order Review

Patsy Calton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the organisations and individuals consulted in the Permitted Development Order Review England, published in September 2003.

Keith Hill: The research study into permitted development was commissioned from consultants Nathaniel Lichfield  Partners Ltd. in 2002. A list of those organisations who were consulted by the researchers can be found in Annex 1 of the report which is available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at www.odpm.gov.uk. Copies are also available in the Library of the House.

Permitted Development Order Review

Patsy Calton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what additional consultation is required before progress can be made with the recommendations of the Permitted Development Order Review England, with respect to railway undertakings and telecommunications masts.

Keith Hill: The research study into permitted development was commissioned from consultants Nathaniel Lichfield  Partners Ltd. in 2002. Informal comments were invited on the recommendations contained in the report on the review of permitted development rights when it was published in September 2003. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are putting together proposals on which we will conduct a full consultation exercise later this year.

Regional Assemblies

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the budget of the information campaign, Elected Regional Assembly: Your Say, is (a) in total, (b) for the East Midlands and (c) for West Derbyshire.

Nick Raynsford: 'Your Say' is intended to inform everyone in the North East, the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber who will have a chance later this year to vote in referendums on whether to establish an elected regional assemblies.
	The total budget for this financial year is 500,000.
	It is not intended that the other five English regions should have a referendum this year. Therefore, there is no 'Your Say' budget allocation for the East Midlands or the West Derbyshire sub-region.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

British Monarchy Studies

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how much time secondary school students spent studying the British monarchy in the last period for which figures are available;
	(2)  what provision is made in the national curriculum for (a) primary and (b) secondary education to teach school children the values and history of the British monarchy.

Charles Clarke: The history and development of the British monarchy is a key feature of the statutory programmes of study for National Curriculum History in primary and secondary schools. In addition, through the Citizenship National Curriculum which is a statutory requirement for all pupils aged 1116, pupils will be taught about the United Kingdom and the institutions which underpin our democracy, including the role of the Queen. There is no information collected on the time school pupils spend studying the British monarchy.

Child Poverty

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in (a) the East Midlands and (b) West Derbyshire lived in poverty in (i) 200102 and (ii) 200203.

Chris Pond: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the City of York (Hugh Bayley) on 8 January 2004, Official Report, column 462W.

Departmental Staff

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of staff employed within his Department are over 55 years of age; and what (a) number and (b) percentage of staff recruited over the last 12 months are over 55 years of age.

Charles Clarke: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for State at the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) on 20 January 2004, Official Report, column 1130W.

Employer Training Pilots

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list, broken down by region, the (a) firms and (b) companies taking part in Employer Training Pilots; and how much public funding each of them has received in (i) 200102, (ii) 200203 and (iii) 2003.

Ivan Lewis: As the Employer Training Pilots did not commence until September 2002, no public funding was given to employers during 200102. Since September 2002 over 6,000 employers have signed up for the pilots. Details of funding paid to participating employers is not held centrally, but by the local Learning and Skills Councils operating the pilots, and the information cannot be collated to the level of detail requested without incurring disproportionate cost. I have, however, asked Mark Haysom, the Learning and Skills Council's Chief Executive, to write to the hon. Gentleman with details of the total amounts of public funding paid to or on behalf of participating employers under the Employer Training Pilots in each of the pilot areas, and the names of participating businesses. A copy of his reply will also be placed in the House of Commons Library.

Employer Training Pilots

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the success rate as defined by his Department is for Employer Training Pilots; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Employer Training Pilots were set up in September 2002 and will run until August 2005. They are testing the effectiveness of a range of measures designed to increase employer-based training for low-skilled employees, resulting in the acquisition of basic skills or level 2 qualifications. An evaluation report on the first year of the pilots has been produced for DfES by the Institute for Employment Studies. These interim findings show that at the end of August 2003:
	there were over 3,000 employers and 14,000 learners registered as taking part, with more in the process of starting;
	more than two in five employers engaged with the ETPs have had no previous involvement with government agencies such as the Learning and Skills Councils or Business Links;
	ETP learners tend to be aged between 26 and 45, in full-time low-skilled jobs, and earn an average of 6 an hour. Over half of the learners were female;
	both employers and employees were expressing high levels of satisfaction with the programme.
	At this interim stage it is too early to draw any definitive conclusions about the pilots and the second year will be used to explore a number of issues in more depth; these include the numbers achieving qualifications, which elements of the pilots are most attractive to employers and employees, and the longer term impact of the training on both businesses and individuals.
	The first year evaluation report was published in December 2003 and is available on the DfES website. A copy is also being placed in the House of Commons Library.

Modern Apprenticeships

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many expressions of interest were received between the start of the advertising campaign in London in 2002 promoting modern apprenticeships and three months after the conclusion of the campaign; and how many of these expressions of interest translated into modern apprenticeship courses started.

Ivan Lewis: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Oath of Allegiance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make provision for school children to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen and the United Kingdom.

Charles Clarke: There are no plans to make provision for school children to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen and the United Kingdom. However, understanding about the rights and duties of citizens of the UK and the role of the Queen in our democracy are part of Citizenship education, now a statutory subject for 11 to 16-year-olds.

Pupil Exclusions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on pupil exclusions.

Ivan Lewis: The Government are investing in a wide-ranging programme of measures to improve standards of behaviour and to develop and encourage the use of alternatives to exclusion. But exclusion must continue to be one of the sanctions for serious misbehaviour available to schools. And, when a head excludes for good reasons, that decision should not be overturned. We have therefore reformed the legislation governing exclusion appeal panels to strike a better balance between the interests of the individual pupil and those of the school community as a whole.

Rural Youth Grant

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the amount of rural youth grant given to each local authority in the South West since 1997.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for Education and Skills does not make rural youth grants to local authorities.

Schoolbags

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are in place in England and Wales to protect children from back injuries sustained through carrying excessively heavy schoolbags to, in and from school; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: My Department advises local education authorities and schools in England to provide storage facilities and to plan timetables so that pupils need not carry excessively heavy bags to, in or from school. It is for local authorities and schools to assess and manage the health and safety risks of handling heavy loads.

School Drinking Water

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what provision his Department has made to enable schoolchildren to have access to clean drinking water during the school day.

Ivan Lewis: The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 requires all schools to have a wholesome supply of water for domestic purposes, including drinking water. Further guidance is available in Building Bulletin 87 (Guidelines for Environmental Design in Schools), which can be viewed on the website: www.teachernet.gov.uk/energy. However, it is for local education authorities, governors and schools to decide how and when drinking water should be made available to pupils.

University Attendance

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average public subsidy is for each person attending university in 200304.

Alan Johnson: Our latest estimate is that, on average, a student in higher education will benefit from around 5,300 in public subsidy. This estimate includes the average amount that the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) pay the institution as grant for teaching, the economic costs to the Government of issuing a maintenance loan, and any fee remission and other grants.

University for Industry

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent on the University for Industry in (a) 200203 and (b) 200304; and what proportion was spent on (i) administration and (ii) staffing.

Ivan Lewis: My Department makes grant funding available annually to Ufi which helps to fund Ufi's infrastructure and operating costs including the costs of operating the learndirect information and advice service. Ufi also receives LSC funding indirectly through the sale of learndirect courses and materials to the national network (hubs) that Ufi has established to deliver learndirect courses.
	In 200203, 53.800 million was spent from funding allocated to Ufi directly from my Department. Ufi also received 28 million from the sale of learndirect materials to hubs for learning subsidised with public funds. From this income 12.8 million (15.6 per cent.) was spent on staff related costs and 10.5 million (12.8 per cent.) on other administration costs. We are not able to provide the same information for 200304 because the financial year is not complete.

University for Industry

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of funding provided to the University for Industry by his Department was taken up by learners in 200203.

Ivan Lewis: In the academic year 2002/03, 139.5 million was set aside for Ufi/learndirect provision by the LSC from its Learning Participation budget. From this budget 116 million (83.1 per cent.) was taken up by learners. (The grant funding made available annually by my Department to Ufi does not cover learner costs. Figures are not available for the financial year 200203.)
	The LSC is currently conducting an audit of the learning undertaken in academic year 2002/03. This audit is expected to be completed in February 2004. The figures provided here are based on interim and pre-audit data and might be subject to subsequent revision.

University for Industry

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of the Learning and Skills Council low priority adult funding budget will go to the University for Industry in each local Learning and Skills Council region in 200405.

Ivan Lewis: On 4 December 2003 the Secretary of State for Education and Skills wrote to the LSC setting out LSC budgets for 200405. In this letter 6,311.616 million was set aside for the Learning Participation Budget. This budget (which supports the delivery of a number of Departmental priorities and is not a low priority budget) funds participation and achievement in learning by young people and adults and supports workforce development.
	The LSC will shortly decide how much of this budget to set aside for learndirect provision in England on the basis of 200304 performance.

University for Industry

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what liaison takes place between local Learning and Skills Councils and the University for Industry; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Ufi liaises with the 47 local Learning and Skills Councils to agree targets for the engagement through learndirect of different types of priority learners. This results in contracts between the local Learning and Skills Councils and their local learndirect hubs for the delivery of learndirect provision in their area. In year performance is monitored on a regular basis and a biannual review of hubs is undertaken to optimise the contribution of learndirect to local priorities.
	There are also regular strategic reviews between Ufi Regional Directors and local Learning and Skills Councils (and other key local and regional partners) to assess and optimise the contribution of learndirect to the achievement of local skills development priorities.
	From August 2004, the LSC will contract nationally with Ufi. Provision will, however, continue to be planned locally and local Learning and Skills Councils will monitor performance.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Judicial Review

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how the Government intend to deal with judicial review of decisions formerly made by the Immigration Appeals Tribunal.

David Lammy: The Government have introduced measures in the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Bill to establish a new single tier Asylum and Immigration Tribunal. This will merge the two current tiers of appeal in asylum and immigration cases. The judicial determinations and decisions made by the new tribunal will be final and can only be challenged in the higher courts on the grounds that a tribunal member has acted in bad faith.

Court Service

Ian Lucas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance his Department gives to the Court Service on political neutrality.

Christopher Leslie: The Civil Service Management Code sets out the standards of conduct and discipline that all civil servants must follow. The Code states:
	Civil servants must not take part in any political or public activity which compromises, or might be seen to compromise, their impartial service to the Government of the day or any future Government.
	That is reflected in the Department's Employee Handbook, a copy of which goes to all Court Service employees.

Court Service

Ian Lucas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance his Department gives to the Court Service on appropriate use of its estate.

Christopher Leslie: Under the Government's wider market initiative courts have been encouraged to make commercial use of assets, including estates, to generate income. The Department for Constitutional Affairs has issued guidance about undertaking wider markets activities to its agencies, including the Court Service. The guidance includes specific advice about image/propriety, avoidance of disruption to core services, licensing, insurance, security and the use of in-house equipment when wider market activities are being considered. In addition separate guidance has also been produced by HM Treasury and the Court Service.

Immigration Appeal Tribunal

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the criteria are for remittal by the Immigration Appeal Tribunal; and where they are listed.

David Lammy: The President of the Immigration Appeal Tribunal has not issued a Practice Direction relating to the remittal of appeals, and no set criteria are laid down, but the Tribunal will only remit an appeal where there is no practicable alternative. The decision to remit an appeal is made in accordance with the overriding objective of Rule 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Appeals (Procedure) Rules 2003: to secure the just, timely and effective disposal of appeals and applications in the interests of the parties and in the wider public interest.

Jury Research

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress has been made with the consultation on jury research.

Christopher Leslie: The consultation paper on jury research and investigations into juror impropriety, as announced by the Secretary of State on 11 September 2003, has been delayed so that I could take into account the decision of the Law Lords in the conjoined appeals in R v. Shabbir AH Mirza and R v. Ben Connor Ashley, Kenneth Rollock.
	The Law Lords returned their decision on 22 January. After I have fully considered how this decision affects it, the consultation paper will then be published.
	When the paper is published, I will ensure that the hon. Member is sent a copy.

Monarchy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of the monarchy in the UK.

Christopher Leslie: The Government believe that the country should remain a constitutional monarchy in its present form.

Royal Courts of Justice

Ian Lucas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  if he will list the Court Service's dealings with Workham Marketing for the last three years;
	(2)  whether outside bodies are permitted to hold fundraising meetings in the Royal Courts of Justice;
	(3)  Affairs whether outside bodies are permitted to hold sporting events in the Royal Courts of Justice;
	(4)  whether outside bodies are permitted to hold political meetings in the Royal Courts of Justice;
	(5)  under what circumstances the Court Service hires the Royal Courts of Justice to outside bodies.

Christopher Leslie: The Royal Courts of Justice, through the Wider Markets Initiative, have been hiring out their facilities over the last two years for a range of functions. A booking was taken for a boxing charity fund- raiser through the company Workham Marketing. Unfortunately the normal procedures for bookings were not followed in this case. When a senior official examined the detail of the booking it was found that Workham Marketing were representing the Countryside Alliance, a non- charitable campaigning organisation. Since finding this out the booking has been cancelled and all necessary refunds have been made. The only other dealings that the Royal Courts of Justice have had with Workham Marketing are enquiries about the availability of other dates. In operating the Wider Markets Initiative the Court Service is concerned to maintain the independence and neutrality of the courts.

HEALTH

Making Amends

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to publish responses to the consultation document, Making Amends; and when policy proposals will be published.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 22 January 2004
	Over 170 responses to the consultation document, Making Amends have been received and we have written to respondents to request permission to publish their comments. We are now in the process of converting comments from those respondents to electronic documents and they will be available on the Department of Health website shortly. A copy will also be placed in the Library in due course.
	Responses to consultation are being assessed and analysed to assist with informing final policy details. The Government's proposals to reform and improve the way the national health service responds to clinical negligence will be announced later this year.

BSE

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment the Food Standards Agency has made of the arrangements in the USA for (a) testing slaughtered cattle for BSE, (b) surveillance and tracking of BSE in the food chain and (c) controlling the use of rendered by-products; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Andrew Lansley) today.

BSE

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the United States Administration since 22 December 2003 concerning the integrity of the food chain in the US and non-contamination of it by BSE-infected meat.

Melanie Johnson: The Food Standards Agency advises that the risk to public health in the United Kingdom from BSE in third countries, including the United States, is minimised through the application of existing European Union rules. These require any such country exporting meat or live animals into the Community to have in place controls equivalent to those in the EU.
	Imports of beef and beef products are permitted only if EU rules requiring the removal of specified risk material are met and veterinary certification of this is provided.
	In recent years the UK has imported little beef from the US. This is because of unrelated controls designed to prevent exports from cattle that have been given growth-promoting hormones banned in the EU. Data from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs show that, since 2000, the UK has imported only around 80 tonnes of fresh or chilled bovine meat and around 1,800 tonnes of meat and offal preparations. In addition, since 1996 all meat and bone meal (MBM), a by-product of the rendering process, has been banned from use in feeding stuffs for all farmed livestock. It has also been banned as a fertiliser, except where used on non-agricultural land. Any MBM originating from the US could therefore not be used in the UK for this purpose.
	The Food Standards Agency notes the recent introduction of a number of additional public protection safeguards against BSE by the United States Department of Agriculture. The EU is in active discussion with the US authorities about what is being done and I understand will shortly be arranging a technical visit to the US to evaluate the position.
	I have not held any discussions with the US authorities over this issue.

Building Maintenance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the NHS budget for the current financial year has been allocated to the maintenance of buildings.

John Hutton: Most significant maintenance that improves the condition of national health service buildings is capital-funded.
	The allocation of capital resources to the NHS for the three-year period, 200304 to 200506, was announced on 8 January 2003. None of the resources allocated were identified specifically for the maintenance of buildings.
	Operational capital is allocated directly to NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) and is used primarily for maintaining their asset bases and funding other minor investments. For 200304, 844 million has been allocated as operational capital, or 29 per cent, of the total public capital budget. It is, however, for local NHS trusts and PCTs to decide how much of this is used to fund building maintenance and how much is allocated to other local priorities.
	By funding the replacement of major assets, the strategic health authorities' strategic capital programmes, totalling 684 million in 200304 and private finance initiative programme also make a contribution to meeting the NHS's maintenance requirement.

Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking on the prevention of cancer; and what targets have been set for cancer prevention.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 26 January 2004
	The Government funds an extensive health improvement and prevention programme aimed at preventing cancer and coronary heart disease, which are the two main causes of mortality. This includes work on tobacco control and smoking cessation, improving nutrition and diet and increasing levels of physical activity, all of which have an effect on cancer prevention.
	Health improvement and prevention work is also undertaken directly by primary care trusts (PCTs). Since April 2003, 75 per cent., of the national health service budget has been devolved directly to PCTs, allowing them to control the resources to deliver on both national and local priorities, including cancer.
	All the targets we have established for cancer, including those for treatment and reducing smoking rates, will contribute towards prevention.

Cannabis

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has undertaken into links between taking cannabis and schizophrenia.

Melanie Johnson: The Department commissioned the following research projects as part of the Drug Misuse Policy Research Initiative, which funded 2.4 million research between 2000 and 2003.
	Long term heavy cannabis use: patterns and problems. Mr. Niall Coggans, Strathclyde Institute for Biomedical Sciences
	A national epidemiological study of dually diagnosed substance misuse and psychiatric disorders between 19931998, using the General Practice Research Database. Dr. Martin Frischer, Keele University.
	Co-morbidity in the National Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys. Dr. Michael Farrell, Dr. Colin Taylor, Institute of Psychiatry.
	Co-morbidity of substance misuse and mental health problems: a study of the prevalence and patterns of co-morbidity and the need for services amongst treatment populations. Mr. Tim Weaver, Imperial College School of Medicine.
	Dual Diagnosis in a Primary Care Group (PCG), (100,000 population locality): a step by step epidemiological needs assessment and design of a training and service response model. Dr. Geraldine Strathdee, Oxleas National Health Service Trust.
	The Department also monitors research in this area and has a range of expert advisers to inform policy.

Colonoscopies

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of colonoscopies were unsuccessful in each of the last five years.

John Hutton: Information about the proportion of unsuccessful colonoscopies is not held centrally.

Coronary Disease

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what clinical audit data hospitals and primary care trusts in England have collated that is more than 12 months old covering the information in Milestone 3 on heart failure set out in the National Service Framework on Coronary Heart Disease.

Melanie Johnson: This data is not held centrally, as the delivery of the national service framework (NSF) is managed locally. The Department's assessment is that the national health service has made good progress on this issue, as seen in the decline in emergency admissions for heart failure. As the new general medical services contract takes effect and heart failure assumes a higher priority in the central phase of delivery of the NSF, we expect to see further rapid progress on this important group of patients. To support the publication of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's clinical guidelines that set out recommendations for NHS care of people with chronic heart failure, the Department has published a booklet, Developing services for heart failure.

Dentistry

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists' surgeries there are in Brent East constituency.

John Hutton: Figures collected by the Department are by primary care trust (PCT) and not by constituency.
	Brent PCT has 64 dental practices (latest data available as at January 2004).
	These figures can be routinely obtained from the NHS UK web-site at www.nhs.uk.

Dermatology

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to increase the number of general practitioners and nurses who undertake training in dermatology.

John Hutton: The relevant statutory bodies are responsible for setting curricula for health professional training. We do share a commitment with those bodies that all health professionals are trained so that they have the skills and knowledge to deliver a high quality health service to all groups of the population with whom they deal. National health service trusts, primary care trusts and workforce development confederations are responsible for commissioning the training and development across their local health economies that their professionals need.

Dermatology

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) general practitioners and (b) nurses have been trained in dermatology in each of the last five years; and what percentage of the total numbers of each this represents.

John Hutton: This information is not collected centrally.

Erythropoietic Treatments

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many recorded incidences of pure red cell aplasia there were in England and Wales between 1999 and 2002 following treatment using erythropoietic products;
	(2)  if he will list the incidences of pure red cell aplasia occurring after treatment with (a) Epogen, (b) Aranesp, (c) Neorecormon and (d) Eprex since 1999;
	(3)  how many fatalities have been linked to the use of erythropoietic treatments for anaemia;
	(4)  if he will commission studies into the incidence of pure red cell aplasia after erythropoietic treatments for anaemia; and what studies he has assessed into the potentially adverse effects of erythropoietic treatments for anaemia.

Melanie Johnson: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) receive reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) submitted by doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and coroners via the Yellow Card Scheme, and there is a legal requirement for companies to report suspected ADRs to their products.
	The table shows the number of suspected ADR reports of red cell aplasia received annually by the MHRA/CSM between 1999 and 2003. These numbers do not necessarily represent all cases that may have occurred, because there is an unquantifiable degree of under-reporting associated with the Yellow Card Scheme, as with all voluntary reporting schemes. Figures are presented for epoetin alfa (Eprex), and epoetin beta (Neorecormon). The MHRA/CSM has received no ADR reports involving red cell aplasia in association with either Aranesp or Epogen during this interval. The product known as Epogen was not marketed in the United Kingdom during the interval in question.
	
		Number of case reports of red cell aplasia received
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Epoetin alfa (Eprex) United Kingdom 4 4 9 21 6 
			 England and Wales only 4 3 8 19 6 
			 Epoetin beta (Neorecormon) United Kingdom 4 2 0 7 1 
			 England and Wales only 4 1 0 7 1 
		
	
	The total number of suspected ADR reports received from UK sources between the start of 1999 and the end of 2003 in association with epoetin alfa was 44; the number associated with epoetin beta was 14. Both epoetin alfa and epoetin beta were implicated in 10 reports; therefore the total number of reports of red cell aplasia received in association with all epoetins was 48.
	The cause of death was recorded as red cell aplasia in one case. This patient showed evidence of parvovirus B19 infection, which is a well-established cause of red cell aplasia. Therefore, there are reasonable grounds to doubt a causal association between the epoetin administered and the red cell aplasia that occurred in this case.
	Two large studies are currently under way to investigate the apparent association between epoetins and red cell aplasia, including the incidence of red cell aplasia in patients treated with epoetins.
	The epoetins available in the UK were authorised on the basis of data, including clinical trial data, that have demonstrated evidence of safety and efficacy in all licensed indications. All studies were assessed for evidence of potential unwanted effects that might be attributable to treatment. The number of patients exposed to treatment prior to grant of a Marketing Authorisation would not normally be large enough to permit the detection of very rare unwanted effects, which would usually only come to light as a result of post-marketing surveillance following the exposure of much larger numbers of patients, as was the case with red cell aplasia in association with epoetins.

EU Health Insurance Cards

Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 5 January 2004, Official Report, column 187W, on EU health insurance cards, what the timescale for the scoping study is.

John Hutton: Ministers will shortly conclude their consideration of the options available for implementing the European health insurance cards for United Kingdom residents. We will then consult interested parties.

Fruit for Schools Scheme

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what evaluation he has undertaken of the effect of the Fruit for Schools pilot schemes on children's health;
	(2)  what central Government funds have been allocated in each of the next three years for the Fruit for Schools scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: Increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables helps to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, like heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
	The National School Fruit Scheme is at present available to schools in London, the East and West Midlands and the North West. 96 per cent. of schools invited have joined the scheme, and an estimated 95 per cent. of children eat the fruit.
	Following positive results from the region-wide pilots, supported by 42 million from the New Opportunities Fund, the scheme is to be offered to all local education authority schools with children aged four to six by the end of 2004. The Department will provide 77 million over the next two years (33.5 million has been allocated for 200405 and 43.5 million for 200506).
	In a preliminary survey, more than a quarter of children and their families reported eating more fruit at home since their children were in the scheme. A large-scale evaluation, with the support of the New Opportunities Fund, is underway. This involves 6,000 children across 100 schools, using a specially developed assessment tool to measure the impact of the scheme on children's diet both at school and home. Data will be collected before and after the scheme starts in the North East in March and again in the autumn 2004 and a report is expected in 2005.

General Practitioners

Harry Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review Schedule 1, Part 1, paragraph 9 of the NHS (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1994 to assess whether the terms of service for doctors need to be revised to give patients better safeguards over having their names removed from general practitioners' lists; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: We have already considered this in developing the new general medical services contract. This includes strengthened provisions requiring a practice to have reasonable grounds for removal and to advise the patient and primary care trust of that reason. Patients will be given warnings before such action is taken by a practice.

General Practitioners

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner surgeries there are in Brent East constituency.

John Hutton: Figures collected by the Department are by primary care trust (PCT) and not by constituency.
	Brent PCT has 78 general practitioner surgeries as at January 2004.

General Practitioners

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner surgeries in Brent East constituency closed their list in the last 12 months.

John Hutton: We do not routinely collect information on the number of closed lists.

General Practitioners

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients, in the absence of an available general practitioner, have been allocated to a locum doctor in (a) Brent, (b) London and (c) England.

John Hutton: A patient who experiences difficulty in registering to receive primary medical services may be allocated by the primary care trust to the list of a local general practitioner principal or personal medical services provider. Locum doctors, however, do not hold patient lists and patients may not be allocated to such a doctor.

General Practitioners

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost of running a general practitioner surgery was in the last year for which figures are available.

John Hutton: The average costs incurred by general practitioners in running their practices, based on the latest Inland Revenue Enquiry data for 200102, was 106,272.

General Practitioners

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the (a) number and (b) rate of general practitioner vacancies in each (i) strategic health authority and (ii) primary care trust in each year since each was established.

John Hutton: The Department's annual general practitioner (GP) Recruitment and Retention Vacancy survey started in 2000.
	The estimated three month GP vacancy rate for England in 2003 was 3.4 per cent. and 2.7 per cent. in 2002. It is not possible to produce reliable estimates of the vacancy rate at strategic health authority (SHA) level or primary care trust (PCT) level. Estimated three month vacancy rates are not available before 2002.
	Information on the number of GP vacancies for each SHA since 2000 and on the number of GP vacancies in each PCT for 2003, the first year data was collected at PCT level has been placed in the Library. This is a count of all GP vacancies that have occurred during each year. It will include existing posts that doctors have left and also new posts created to increase the workforce, even where they were filled very quickly. Thus, the increase in vacancies in part is a result of there being more posts overall, reflecting the Government's plan to increase the GP workforce.

General Practitioners

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner surgeries in Romford receive NHS funding.

John Hutton: There are a total of 17 national health service general practitioner surgeries in Romford and all receive NHS funding.

Haemoglobinopathies

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the Government plans to increase awareness of sickle cell and thalassaemia.

Melanie Johnson: NHS Plan set out a commitment to introduce, by 2004, new and effective screening programmes for women and children, including a new national linked antenatal and neonatal programme for sickle cell and thalassaemia. The sickle cell and thalassaemia screening programme has held a series of workshops throughout the country, with the aim of increasing awareness of the objectives and principles of the programme among general practitioners, practice nurses, midwives, health visitors, laboratory and administrative staff. To support the national rollout of the newborn sickle cell screening, the programme is planning various activities to develop a mass media campaign to improve the visibility of these disorders in communities with the highest prevalence.

Haemoglobinopathies

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the Government plans to increase community support networks and facilities for sickle cell and thalassaemia sufferers and their families.

Melanie Johnson: Local implementation of the national health service sickle cell and thalassaemia screening programme in England is being supported by a UK National Screening Committee development programme. The programme is being developed in partnership with the key community and voluntary sector stakeholders. A key element of the national work is a community consultation and engagement project to ensure community awareness and acceptance of the screening programme. The screening programme works closely with voluntary groups to ensure that they are well informed about developments.
	The Department is working with professional organisations to consider proposals for clinical networks of services to be developed, allowing patients to be cared for locally.

Havering

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been allocated to NHS services in the London borough of Havering for financial year 200405.

John Hutton: Funding is allocated to primary care trusts (PCTs) on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. Revenue allocations for PCTs covering the period 200304 to 200506 were announced on 11 December 2002.
	For 200405, the revenue allocation for Havering PCT is 234.9 million. Havering PCT is co-terminus with the London borough of Havering.

Havering

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve the quality of buildings in which NHS treatment is provided in the London borough of Havering.

John Hutton: The new acute hospital at Oldchurch Park in central Romford, costing 200 million, is already under way and is scheduled for completion in late 2006. This will replace the acute facilities at Oldchurch and Harold Wood Hospitals, part of Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals National Health Service Trust, in purpose-built accommodation and will improve dramatically the quality of buildings available for acute care in Havering.
	From May 2003, Havering primary care trust (PCT), together with neighbouring Barking and Dagenham PCT, local councils and the North-East London Mental Health Trust (NELMHT) have been working in partnership with Primaria to improve local health services and the buildings that house them. This partnership provides a new way of funding the development of modern, efficient community-based services and the buildings that they are in and follows the NHS local investment finance trust (LIFT) initiative. Five health care premises in Havering will be developed initially. The PCT is currently identifying further developments to be undertaken in Havering through LIFT. Havering, Barking and Dagenham PCTs and NELMHT have developed a strategic outline case (SOC), which was approved by the North-East London Strategic Health Authority in September 2003. The SOC establishes the case for investment, and considers options for the reprovision of facilities for all existing services provided at St. George's hospital, Hornchurch, and the Harold Wood and Hornchurch local health clinics.

Havering

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of NHS spending in the London borough of Havering was spent on the (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of sexually transmitted diseases in the last period for which figures are available.

John Hutton: This information is not collected centrally.

Havering

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money the Havering NHS Trust was given in the financial year 200304.

John Hutton: The data concerning the financial allocation to Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals National Health Service Trust is not collected centrally; NHS trusts receive their funding from contractual relationships with primary care trusts (PCTs).
	The allocation of funding to Havering PCT for 200304 was 214.0 million, a 7.2 per cent. increase in real terms and a 9.6 per cent. increase in cash terms.

Havering

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the average cost of performing a cataract operation in the NHS was in the London Borough of Havering in 2003; and what the cost was in (a) Barking and (b) Brentwood;
	(2)  how many cataract operations were performed in the London borough of Havering in 2003.

John Hutton: The data regarding the average cost of performing a cataract operation and the number of cataract operations performed, are not collected by London borough but by national health service trust.
	The latest information available is for the financial year 200102. In 200102, the average cost of performing a cataract operation at Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust was 689.
	In 200102, Barking, Havering and Redbridge hospitals carried out a total of 779 cataract extractions with lens implants as day cases.

Health Service Recovery Plans

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which (a) NHS, (b) NHS mental health and (c) primary care trusts have financial recovery plans; what period the recovery plans cover; and what the level of (i) recurring and (ii) non-recurring deficit or overspend the plans are intended to recover.

John Hutton: The information is not collected centrally for individual organisations. This is the responsibility of the managing strategic health authority.

Hepatitis C

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether (a) haemophiliacs and (b) non-haemophiliacs will be eligible for compensation under the hepatitis C ex-gratia payment scheme; and when he expects to announce the details of the scheme.

Melanie Johnson: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made to the House on 26 January 2004, Official Report, column 1WS, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, announcing the details of the scheme which will be open to both haemophiliacs and non-haemophiliacs.

HIV/AIDS

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of rape victims are known consequently to have contracted (a) a sexually transmitted disease, (b) HIV/AIDS, (c) hepatitis B and (d) hepatitis C in each of the last five years.

Melanie Johnson: Routine surveillance for sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C, conducted by the Health Protection Agency, collects information on routes of transmission of these infections (for example, whether through homosexual or heterosexual sex), but does not record whether or not sex was consensual.

HIV/AIDS

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in (a) St. Helens and (b) Merseyside had HIV/AIDS in (i) 2001, (ii) 2002, (iii) 2003 and (iv) the most recent in 2004 for which figures are available.

Melanie Johnson: The table shows the number of HIV-infected people resident in St. Helen's and Knowsley and Merseyside local authorities who attended national health service services for HIV-related treatment and care in the last five years for which data are available.
	
		
			  Residence 
			 Survey year St. Helens and Knowsley local authority Merseyside local authority(11) 
		
		
			 1998 23 163 
			 1999 24 180 
			 2000 27 208 
			 2001 27 220 
			 2002 37 293 
		
	
	(11) Merseyside LAs include Liverpool, Sefton, St. Helens and Knowsley and Wirral.Source:
	North West HIV/AIDS Monitoring Unit, Liverpool John Moores University.

Hospital-acquired Infection

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to combat the spread of MRSA within nursing and residential homes.

Melanie Johnson: We consider that implementation of our recent report, Winning WaysWorking together to reduce Healthcare Associated Infection in England 1 , will reduce infections in both hospital and community settings. This report will raise standards by reinforcing the need to follow existing good practice 2 .
	1 Available at www.doh.gov.uk/cmo/hai/winningways/pdf.
	2 The Public Health Medicine Environmental Group Guidelines on the Control of Infection in Residential and Nursing homes 1996National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Infection control: prevention of health care associated infection in primary and community care 2003.

Hospital-acquired Infection

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the additional cost to the NHS of hospital acquired infections in each of the last six years; and what methodology he used to calculate that figure.

Melanie Johnson: Precise data are not available. A commonly used estimate 1 is that hospital acquired infection may cost the national health service 1 billion a year.
	1 R. Plowman, N. Graves, M. Griffin, J.A. Roberts, A.V. Swan, B. Cookson, L. Taylor. The socio-economic burden of hospital acquired infection. Public Health Laboratory Service 1999

Hospitals (Durham)

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Darzi Review recommendations on health care in County Durham.

Melanie Johnson: The proposals arising from the Darzi Review were referred to Ministers by the former South Durham and Weardale Community Health Council. These were subsequently approved for implementation in September 2002. To support the new model, the two trusts responsible for the management of the hospitals in Co. Durham and Darlington merged to form the County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals National Health Service Trust, with effect from 1 October 2002.
	County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority is overseeing the process of implementation of the proposals, which cover a wide range of services. The chief executive of the SHA wrote recently to all local right hon. and hon. Members informing them of progress on the review and a copy of his letter has been placed in the Library.

Local Government

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent to which the recommendations in Circular HSC2001/016:LAC(2001)23 have been met by local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: We issued the implementation guidance Circular HSC 2001/016: LAC (2001)23 in August 2001. The guidance followed the publication, in March 2001, of the White Paper, 'Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century' (Cm 5086). 'Valuing People' set out our proposals for improving services for people with learning disabilities, their families and carers said that it would take a minimum of five years to make the changes it described.
	Our first annual report to Parliament on learning disability, 'Making Change Happen' (HC 514), published in April 2003, gave a comprehensive report about the progress made on implementing all of the objectives in the White Paper. A copy of the report is available in the Library and was sent to all English right hon. and hon. Members. The report shows that we have made good progress since 'Valuing People' was published, but that there is much more to do to achieve all its aims. Further progress will be reported in our second annual report in April.
	The Learning Disability Task Force monitors the progress of 'Valuing People' and reports to the Government on this. Its first report, 'Making Things Happen' was published in January 2003 and a second report is due in February.

Lung Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to introduce better techniques for diagnosing lung cancer.

Melanie Johnson: The Department of Health published Improving Outcomes Guidance on Lung Cancer in 1998. This guidance provides advice on how lung cancer services in the national health service should be organised to improve outcomes for lung cancer patients. It addresses the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer and recommends that a full range of diagnostic tests should be available within cancer services.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is also preparing clinical guidelines (advice on assessment and treatment of a condition) for the NHS on the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. The guideline will provide guidance on diagnosis including early diagnosis; key symptoms and signs upon which a patient should be referred; factors encouraging patients to present to healthcare services sooner; diagnostic methods; staging and the impact of lung cancer on a patient's activities, as well as the need to be referred to other health professionals if required. The guideline is expected to be published in November 2004.
	In addition, in March 2000, Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer were published by the Department, and sent to all general practitioners in order to help them identify those patients who are most likely to have cancer, so that they can be referred urgently to a specialist. These guidelines include a chapter on lung cancer. NICE is in the process of updating these guidelines and the update is due to be published in February 2005.
	The Department are aware of the potential benefits positron emission tomography (PET) scanning can offer patients with lung cancer, particularly in assessing the stage of the disease. We will be consulting with doctors, voluntary organisations and other stakeholders on a national framework which will set out which tumour groups would benefit from PET scanning, likely future demand, and the implications for the optimal configuration and location of PET scanners for both clinical and research needs.
	The work of the Modernisation Agency's Cancer Services Collaborative 'Improvement Partnership' (CSC'IP') is central to the drive to improve the detection, diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. A specific goal of the CSC'IP' is to promote early diagnosis of lung cancer.

Mental Health

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people assessed as being elderly mentally infirm.

Stephen Ladyman: Data is not collected on the basis of elderly mentally infirm.
	The research quoted in the older people's national service framework estimates that approximately 600,000 people in the United Kingdom have dementia. It is estimated that about five per cent. of people over 65 have dementia, rising to about 20 per cent. in the population over 80. It is also estimated that at any point in time about 10 to 15 per cent. of the population over 65 will have depression.
	Although the main mental health problems among older people are dementia and depression, there is also a considerable number of older people with other mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia.

Negative Extrathoracic Pressure

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 19 January 2004, Official Report, columns 106970W, on North Staffordshire Hospital NHS Trust, when he expects to receive the results of the audit of the use of negative extrathoracic pressure at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust.

Stephen Ladyman: The independent follow-up study of continuous negative extrathoracic pressure patients at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire National Health Service Trust is being carried out independently by a research team based at Queens Medical Centre Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust. This study is expected to be completed by the end of August 2004, but the results will need to be collated before publication.

NHS Bank

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was borrowed from the NHS Bank by each strategic health authority in the past 12 months; how much was repaid to the NHS Bank by each strategic health authority in the last 12 months; and how much the NHS Bank forecasts it will lend to each strategic health authority in the next 12 months.

John Hutton: In 200304, the NHS Bank made available 152 million special assistance to the following strategic health authorities. Surrey and Sussex (40 million), Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire (70 million), Thames Valley (25 million), and Kent and Medway (17 million).
	No money was repaid to the NHS Bank by the SHAs in the last 12 months.
	Decisions on special assistance for 200405 have not been made.

NHS Bank

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the relationship is between the NHS Bank and the NHS Financing Facility.

John Hutton: NHS Bank and the NHS Foundation Trust Financing Facility carry out two separate functions. NHS Bank provides a service, via strategic health authorities, to National Health Service trusts. The purpose of the NHS Bank is to support NHS organisations in maximising the use of resources across the NHS and across years. The NHS Financing Facility provides a service to NHS foundation trusts. The Financing Facility will assess and agree capital loan applications from NHS foundation trusts on behalf of the Secretary of State.

NHS Finance

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what money has been allocated to NHS local investment finance trust schemes in each year since the scheme was introduced in (a) Brent, (b) London and (c) England;
	(2)  what uptake there has been of NHS local investment finance trust scheme funding in each year since the scheme was introduced in (a) Brent, (b) London and (c) England.

John Hutton: The table shows the total of allocations made to primary care trusts to help develop local investment finance trust (LIFT) schemes in the Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon LIFT area, London and England since NHS LIFT was first announced.
	
		000
		
			  Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon London England 
		
		
			 200001 0 0 1,460 
			 200102 0 390 800 
			 200203 60 10,765 30,127 
			 200304 4,600 25,394 105,860 
			 Total 4,660 36,549 138,247

Performance Indicators

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out performance indicators and targets set by his Department in each year since May 1997 that concern public health, listing (a) when they were first set, (b) interim milestones or goals, (c) substantive revisions to the content and (d) those that were abandoned, with reasons why they were dropped.

Melanie Johnson: All of the targets in the Department of Health Public Service Agreements for 1998, 2000 and 2002, including those related to public health, are listed in Chapter 5 of the 2003 Departmental Report, a copy of which is available in the Library.
	The Department of Health Priorities and Planning Framework Targets (formerly called National Priorities Guidance), relating to the periods 19992000 to 200102 through to 200306, have all been published and are available in the Library. Many of these relate to public health.
	National Health Service Performance Indicator sets have been published for each year since 1999, initially by the Department and latterly the Commission for Health Improvement. Many of these relate to public health and all are available on the Department of Health's website.

Public Bodies

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many public bodies were operating in the health service in 1997; how many are operating; what plans he has to review their number and purpose; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced to the Health Select Committee on 30 October 2003, his intention to review the Department's executive non-departmental public bodies, special health authorities and executive agencies. We want to ensure that the roles of these bodies are in line with current expectations and that the oversight of front-line health and social services is kept to an acceptable minimum. We expect that the review will reach its conclusions by the middle of this year. National health service trusts, strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and advisory and tribunal non-departmental public bodies will not be part of the review. Executive agencies, of which the Department has four, will be included.
	
		
			  1 June 1997 1 January 2004 
		
		
			 Executive NDPBs(12) 7 8 
			 Advisory NDPBs 42 37 
			 Tribunal NDPBs 3 3 
			 Health authorities(13) 100 n/a 
			 NHS trusts 402 275 
			 Special health authorities 13 22 
			 Strategic health authorities(13) n/a 28 
			 PCTs(14) n/a 304 
			 Other NHS bodies 2 0 
			 Total 569 677 
		
	
	(12) NDPBs = non-departmental public bodies
	(13) Health authorities were replaced by strategic health authorities from April 2002
	(14) PCTs (Primary Care Trusts) were introduced from April 2000, most on 1 April 2002, and cover smaller populations than did health authorities.

Public Health

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made in the performance management of the public health function; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The Health and Social Care Act 2003 imposes a duty on the national health service to put and keep in place arrangements for monitoring and improving the quality of health care including the promotion and protection of public health. Strategic health authorities have the role of performance managing primary care trusts (PCTs) and NHS hospital trusts, including their public health responsibilities.
	The targets in the Priorities and Planning Framework, 200306, published in October 2002, and the performance indicators for PCTs (for example, those for 200304, published by the Commission for Health Improvement in December 2003), include several related to public health. 200304 will be the second year for PCT ratings and this represents real progress in the performance management of public health. The Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection will take over responsibility for the ratings process from April 2004.

Public Health

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been made to collect and analyse the annual reports of directors of public health; and what guidance he has given to ensure comparability between reports.

Melanie Johnson: Strategic health authorities are responsible for agreeing local national health service plans informed by these reports. In 2002 the Department of Health commissioned guidance for directors of public health on the production of their Annual Reports, which was published in 2003 by the Faculty of Public Health. We are in discussion with SHAs about ways of assessing the impact of these reports, in their performance management role.

Raloxifene

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from (a) patients suffering from osteoporosis and (b) groups representing them about the recent National Institute for Clinical Excellence assessment of Raloxifene; and how many patients have been prescribed the drug in each of the past three years.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department has had no formal representations from patient groups on the subject, but has received a number of letters.
	Information on the number of people who receive medicines, or reasons why a drug was prescribed is not available. Information on how many prescription items of Raloxifene Hydrochloride were dispensed is shown in the table.
	
		Number of prescription items of Raloxifene Hydrochloride that were dispensed in the community in England from 2000.
		
			  Number of prescription items 
		
		
			 2000 79,944 
			 2001 118,950 
			 2002 160,716 
			 2003(15) 138,841 
		
	
	(15) January to September
	Source
	Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) data from the Prescription Pricing Authority.

Refusal of GP Referrals (Avon)

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the categories of treatment for which health trusts in the Avon area are refusing to accept referrals from general practitioners; what estimate he has made of the number of patients who have been refused in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 19 January 2004
	The information requested is not held centrally. It is for primary care trusts to ensure that suitable commissioning arrangements are in place. HSC 2002/007 (Securing Service Delivery: Commissioning Freedoms of Primary Care Trusts) and HSC 1998/198 (Commissioning in the new NHS) provide further information.

Residential Care

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people in poor health in England have been located in residential care in each of the last six years;
	(2)  what the (a) total and (b) average amount contributed by people in poor health in England located in residential care was in the last period for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: Information is not held centrally in the form requested. The 2001 census included questions on where people lived and whether they considered themselves to be living with a limiting long-term illness. According to the census, there were 324,192 non-staff residents in care homes, of which 303,908 said they had a limiting long-term illness.
	Information is not available on the total and average amount contributed by people with poor health. Figures are only available showing the absolute levels of sales, fees and charges recorded by local authorities as income against nursing and residential care. The latest available figures are shown in the table.
	
		Adults under 65 and older people 200102 -- 000
		
			 Residential care Sales fees and charges 
		
		
			 Nursing home placements 532,642 
			 Residential care home placements 1,286,515

Salt Intake

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to limit the public's regular intake of salt.

Melanie Johnson: As 75 per cent. to 80 per cent. of salt comes from processed foods, the Department has called on industry to take concerted action in reducing the salt content of processed foods. The Department, in partnership with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), held a salt stakeholders meeting to highlight the role of all sectors, including industry, health and consumer bodies, on 10 November 2003. I have asked the industry to provide plans of action for reducing the salt content of foods by 27 February.
	The Department and the FSA have jointly written to all public procurement bodies to help in achieving the reductions in salt intake as recommended by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition by focussing on the salt content of processed foods as part of their procurement processes.
	The FSA has set salt targetsto reduce average salt intake by 10 per cent., by 200506 and in the long term, to reduce the average population intake by a third over the next five yearsbringing intakes down to the recommended six grams per day.
	The Department and the FSA communicate the importance of reducing salt in the diet to the public and health professionals through various channels, including leaflets, websites and through NHS-Direct.

Sensory Impairment

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  for what reason sensory impairment does not feature on the list of priorities for research published on his Department's website;
	(2)  for what reason none of the research and development work on assistive technology listed in his Department's statutory report that was laid before Parliament in November 2003 related to sensory impairment.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 21 January 2004
	The report, published in November 2003, outlines a selection of the research and development activity relating to assistive technology funded by the Government in 2002. Full details of all the work funded are available on the Foundation for Assistive Technology website at www.fastuk.org. The website contains details of some twenty Government-funded projects related to sensory impairment that are current or were completed in 2003.
	The report for 2001 contains sections on navigational aids for people with visual impairments and technologies to assist deaf and hearing-impaired people. Projects relating to sensory impairment will also be highlighted in the report for 2003. This will be laid before Parliament by July 2004.
	The Department's website lists major strategic research developments in key Departmental priority areas, including cancer, mental health and coronary heart disease. In the national health service, research priorities are identified through widespread consultation with those using, delivering and managing services. They take account of the burden of disease, potential benefits and departmental objectives as well as the responsibilities and work of other fundersincluding the charities. Current projects relating to sensory impairment include a 0.3 million study of the acceptability, benefit and costs of early screening for hearing disability, and a 0.8 million study of interventions for mild to moderate permanent childhood hearing impairments identified by neonatal hearing screening.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes there have been to the rate of sexually transmitted diseases in the Southport and north Sefton area in the last five years.

Melanie Johnson: The rate of diagnoses of the five principal sexually transmitted infectionsinfectious syphilis, uncomplicated gonorrhoea, uncomplicated chlamydia, genital herpes-first attack, and genital warts-first attackby sex and age group from genito-urinary medicine clinics in the North West of England over the last five years (from 19982002) are shown in the following tables.
	
		Table 1: Rates of diagnoses of infectious syphilis (primary and secondary) by sex and age group, GUM clinics, North West England, 19982002
		
			Rates (per 100,000 population) 
			  Sex Region 1315 1619 2024 2534 3544 45+ Total 
		
		
			 1998 M North West 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.1 0.4 0.1 0.2 
			 1999 M North West 0.0 0.6 3.8 2.7 1.3 0.1 0.9 
			 2000 M North West 0.0 0.0 3.7 6.5 4.6 0.5 2.0 
			 2001 M North West 0.0 2.9 18.8 12.0 10.0 1.8 5.3 
			 2002 M North West 0.0 5.2 16.7 17.9 11.7 2.2 6.3 
			   
			 1998 F North West 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.6 0.4 0.1 0.2 
			 1999 F North West 0.0 1.2 2.1 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.4 
			 2000 F North West 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.2 
			 2001 F North West 0.0 0.6 2.5 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.3 
			 2002 F North West 0.7 1.2 1.0 1.5 0.2 0.1 0.4 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Rates of diagnoses of uncomplicated gonococcal infection by sex and age group, GUM clinics, North West England, 19982002
		
			  Rates (per 100,000 population) 
			  Sex Region 1315 1619 2024 2534 3544 45+ Total 
			  
		
		
			  
			 1998 M North West 7 73 153 222 28 4 31 
			 1999 M North West 6 107 201 99 45 8 43 
			 2000 M North West 5 167 285 140 57 10 58 
			 2001 M North West 4 145 292 148 74 11 61 
			 2002 M North West 9 171 309 147 64 11 62 
			   
			 1998 F North West 9 95 73 50 4 0 12 
			 1999 F North West 19 143 93 26 8 1 18 
			 2000 F North West 14 166 111 29 10 1 21 
			 2001 F North West 18 156 122 32 13 0 22 
			 2002 F North West 27 175 112 32 10 1 22 
		
	
	
		Table 3: Rates of diagnoses of uncomplicated genital chlamydial infection by sex and age group, GUM clinics, North West England, 19982002
		
			Rates (per 100,000 population) 
			  Sex Region 1315 1619 2024 2534 3544 45+ Total 
		
		
			 1998 M North West 7 179 425 534 56 5 73 
			 1999 M North West 14 248 597 239 73 7 98 
			 2000 M North West 6 319 731 293 80 8 115 
			 2001 M North West 10 339 809 299 84 9 123 
			 2002 M North West 9 460 994 348 99 11 152 
			   
			 1998 F North West 49 693 621 370 25 2 93 
			 1999 F North West 76 907 813 184 31 2 126 
			 2000 F North West 76 1,060 982 219 37 3 146 
			 2001 F North West 93 1,214 1,064 266 46 4 168 
			 2002 F North West 125 1,442 1,226 257 57 3 191 
		
	
	
		Table 4: Rates of diagnoses of genital herpes (first attack) by sex and age group, GUM clinics, North West England, 19982002
		
			  Rates (per 100,000 population) 
			  Sex Region 1315 1619 2024 2534 3544 45+ Total 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1998 M North West 1 24 72 135 29 5 19 
			 1999 M North West 0 21 73 52 30 5 19 
			 2000 M North West 0 22 75 53 29 6 19 
			 2001 M North West 0 24 82 65 28 7 22 
			 2002 M North West 1 28 84 54 32 6 21 
			   
			 1998 F North West 7 117 146 181 22 4 28 
			 1999 F North West 7 141 151 64 29 4 30 
			 2000 F North West 11 140 153 68 27 5 31 
			 2001 F North West 18 161 172 80 31 6 36 
			 2002 F North West 15 150 181 74 30 5 35 
		
	
	
		Table 5. Rates of diagnoses of genital warts (first attack) by sex and age group, GUM clinics, North West England, 19982002
		
			  Rates (per 100,000 population) 
			  Sex Region 1315 1619 2024 2534 3544 45+ Total 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1998 M North West 12 267 815 973 112 20 138 
			 1999 M North West 14 310 858 362 117 24 146 
			 2000 M North West 8 288 871 371 118 21 143 
			 2001 M North West 5 322 867 392 128 21 149 
			 2002 M North West 8 300 904 377 132 22 151 
			   
			 1998 F North West 50 766 708 553 56 9 119 
			 1999 F North West 72 748 762 201 66 10 124 
			 2000 F North West 40 761 720 201 61 11 120 
			 2001 F North West 54 751 718 212 65 10 123 
			 2002 F North West 47 757 649 193 67 12 119

Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust (Overspend)

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the forecasted level of overspend is for this financial year for the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.

Stephen Ladyman: I am advised that Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital National Health Service Trust is forecasting a surplus of 4.1 million for the 200304 financial year.

Sir Roy Meadow

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has held with the General Medical Council about the possibility of accelerating its investigation into the record of Sir Roy Meadow.

John Hutton: holding answer 26 January 2004
	No such discussions have taken place.

South Sefton Primary Care Trust

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the South Sefton Primary Care Trust (a) network and (b) boundaries are;
	(2)  how many (a) diabetologists, (b) senior nurses, (c) paediatric diabetologists, (d) paediatric senior nurses, (e) psychologists, and (f) other diabetes specialist staff there are in South Sefton Primary Care Trust.

Melanie Johnson: This information is not collected centrally. However it can be obtained from the following website: http://www.drfoster.co.uk/diabetes/objectlist.aspx?obid=271w=1p=1
	The website can be accessed via www.diabetes.org.uk.

Strategic Health Authorities

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to know how many staff were employed by strategic health authorities in September 2003.

John Hutton: Subject to standard data integrity checks, current plans are to publish these figuresas part of the September 2003 national health service workforce census results on the Department's websitein February 2004.

Strategic Health Authorities

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the latest financial position of each strategic health authority is, broken down by (a) forecast outturn, (b) financial risk, (c) brokerage required to achieve financial balance and (d) loans taken from the NHS Bank.

John Hutton: Audited information on the strategic health authorities (SHAs) own financial position will be published in their individual annual accounts. This data will be available centrally in the autumn. We have no plans to publish un-audited information.
	We have no plans to publish information on financial risk. It can be subjective, is affected by rapidly changing conditions and management action and as a result could be misleading.
	We have no plans to provide brokerage to SHAs for the purpose of achieving financial balance.
	In 200304, the NHS Bank has provided 152 million special assistance to the following SHAs:
	Surrey and Sussex40 million
	Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire70 million
	Thames Valley25 million
	Kent and Medway17 million

Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance ServiceNHS Trust

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on travel by directors of Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust in each of the past three years.

Melanie Johnson: Figures are only available for 200203. In this year, 7,122 was spent on travel by the directors of the Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust.
	Source:
	Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Weston Area Health Trust

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department will appoint a Director of Infection Control for the Weston Area Health Trust.

Melanie Johnson: Designation of the director of infection prevention and control is a local decision, but I can report that such a director has been designated for the Weston Area Health Trust.

Working Time Directive

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the value is of bids that have been submitted by NHS hospital trusts for extra resources to respond to the EU Working Time Directive;
	(2)  what request in respect of the EU Working Time Directive he has received from the Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust for (a) extra medical staff and (b) extra resources.

John Hutton: This information is not held centrally. Local delivery plans and financing of these plans is a matter for strategic health authorities and local trusts, including planning for implementation of the Working Time Directive for doctors in training.

Working Time Directive

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the action being taken by the Government to help smaller general hospitals respond to the EU Working Time Directive.

John Hutton: A substantial programme of work is currently under way within the national health service to support implementation of the Working Time Directive (WTD). This includes 20 national WTD pilot sites and innovative work locally as part of a larger programme of modernisation and improvement to services.
	Strategic health authorities are currently working with their respective trusts locally on plans to achieve compliance for doctors in training from August 2004.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Appeals

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many appeals against benefit decisions were (a) heard and (b) decided in the appellant's favour in the last 12 months, broken down by benefit; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter Christina Townsend Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. She will reply to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Christina Townsend to Mr. Paul Holmes, dated 27 January 2004
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding how many appeals against benefit decisions were (a) heard and (b) decided in the appellant's favour in the last 12 months broken down by benefit.
	The attached table shows the figures for the period December 2002-November 2003.
	I hope this reply is helpful.
	
		Number and Percentage of Appeals found in favour of the Appellant by benefit: December 2002 to November 2003
		
			  Benefit Caseload Cleared at Hearing Found in Favour % found in Favour 
		
		
			 Attendance Allowance (16)1,358,400 7,770 3,525 45.4% 
			 Child Benefit/One Parent Benefit (17)7,342,400 510 80 15.7% 
			 Child Support Cases (18)888,300 , , , 
			 Child Support Assessments .. 2,205 890 40.4% 
			 Child Support departures appeal .. 960 345 35.9% 
			 Child Support departures referral .. 180 105 58.3% 
			 Child Support Reforms .. - - , 
			 Child Tax Credit (19)4,220,700 70 - 0.0% 
			 COEG .. 10 - 0.0% 
			 Compensation Recovery Unit .. 1,275 985 77.3% 
			 Council Tax Benefit (20)4,657,400 655 170 26.0% 
			 Disability Living Allowance (21)2,526,700 69,695 36,975 53.1% 
			 Disability Working Allowance .. 5 - 0.0% 
			 Disabled Person's Tax Credit .. 90 20 22.2% 
			 Home Responsibility Protection .. 20 - 0.0% 
			 Housing/Council Tax Benefit .. 2,365 775 32,8% 
			 Housing Benefit (22)3,807,700 2,205 675 30.6% 
			 Incapacity Benefit (23)2,400,500 , , , 
			 Incapacity Benefit (Personal Capability Assessment) .. 41,570 20,130 48.4% 
			 Incapacity Benefit (not Personal Capability Assessment) .. 4,685 1,830 39.1% 
			 Personal Capability Assessment (not incapacity benefit) .. 560 240 42.9% 
			 Income Support (24)4,015,700 12,355 4,260 34.5% 
			 Industrial Death Benefit (25)11,900 5 - 0.0% 
			 Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (26)343,000 14,975 5,825 38.9% 
			 Carer's Allowance (27)414,200 760 120 15.8% 
			 Jobseeker's Allowance (28)911,300 7,625 2,175 28.5% 
			 Lookalikes .. 5 5 100.0% 
			 Maternity Allowance (29)24,300 85 10 11.8% 
			 Not Known .. 45 10 22.2% 
			 Others (extinct/rare benefits) .. 835 180 21.6% 
			 State Pension (30)11,266,100 1,015 105 10.3% 
			 Severe Disablement Allowance (31)315,300 475 235 49.5% 
			 Social FundFuneral Payments (32)70,000 1,735 300 17.3% 
			 Social FundSure Start Maternity Grants (formerly Maternity Payments) (33)289,000 510 55 10.8% 
			 Vaccine damage appeals tribunals .. 40 5 12.5% 
			 Widow's Benefit/Bereavement Benefit (34)240,500 825 90 10.9% 
			 Working Families Tax Credit .. 1,020 200 19.6% 
			 Working Tax Credit (35)1,705,500 10 - 0.0% 
		
	
	Appeals Figures Notes:
	All figures are subject to change as more up to date data becomes available. Figures for the latest months may rise significantly as information feeds through to the Appeals Service.
	Figures are rounded to the nearest five.
	- denotes nil or negligible.
	, Denotes not applicable
	*Benefit caseload refers to the number of people on benefit at the given time in the footnotes for each benefit. Despite this there are footnotes for some benefits such as funeral payments that are one off grants thus are not constantly claimed
	Source:
	100% download of the Generic Appeals Processing System.
	Benefit Figures Notes:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred, except where noted.
	, Denotes not applicable
	.. Denotes not available
	Source:
	IAD Information Centre, 5% Samples, except where noted.
	(16) As of Aug 2003
	(17) As of Aug 2003. Data supplied is that of No of families Appealing.
	(18) As of Aug 2003. Total number of live and assessed cases. Up to 200,000 cases are missing due to transferral to new system
	(19) As of Oct 2003. 10% sample.
	(20) As of Aug 2003. 100% sample.
	(21) As of Aug 2003
	(22) As of Aug 2003. 100% sample.
	(23) As of Aug 2003.
	(24) As of Aug 2003. Caseload includes both Working Age and Pension Credit claimants.
	(25) As of Sep 2003. 100% sample.
	(26) As of Jun 2003. 10% sample.
	(27) As of Feb 2003. Cases in payment. 100% sample.
	(28) As of Aug 2003
	(29) As of Aug 2003
	(30) As of Mar 2003
	(31) As of Aug 2003
	(32) Figures are claims for financial yearApril 2002 to March 2003. Claims are expressed to the nearest thousand. Data source: Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System
	(33) Figures are claims for financial yearApril 2002 to March 2003. Claims are expressed to the nearest thousand. Data Source: Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System
	(34) As of Mar 2003
	(35) As of Oct 2003. Figures for benefits which no longer exist have been excluded. 10% sample

Child Maintenance

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of child support cases are being assessed using the (a) old and (b) new system for calculating child maintenance liability.

Chris Pond: holding answer 18 December 2003
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Ms Vera Baird dated 27 January 2004
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked how many and what percentage of child support cases are being assessed using the a) old and b) new system for calculating child maintenance liability.
	As at 30 September the Agency held around 1 million cases within its systems. At that date around 30,500 cases (just over 3%) had calculations made under the new arrangements for calculating child maintenance liability. The balance refers to cases either progressing toward a calculation or assessment or to cases assessed in accordance with the previous arrangements.

Child Support

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress is being made with transferring individual child support cases which are still subject to the rules of the old system of child support to the new system; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Pond: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer I gave the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) on 18 December 2003, Official Report, column 1092W.
	Plans for transferring the old scheme caseload to the new scheme have yet to be finalised.

Citizenship Pension

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will commission further investigation into the effects of the proposal in the House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs' Report, Aspects of the Economics of an Ageing Population, for a citizenship pension based on years of residence.

Malcolm Wicks: We are assessing the implications of the recommendations made by the House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs in their report Aspects of the Economics of an Ageing Population and will respond in due course.

Civil Servants

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much space, expressed in square metres, the Department occupies for the offices of civil servants in (a) Central London and (b) Greater London.

Maria Eagle: At 23 January 2004 the total space occupied by the Department for Work and Pensions in London is 286,569 square metres. This covers all the space we occupy within the London Government Office Region whose external border is the M25.
	This figure includes space that is used for offices for civil servants and that used to provide public caller facilities.
	The space we occupy is not divided between Central and Greater London but is recorded according to which district it is located in.
	The breakdown of space occupied by district is in the table.
	
		Breakdown of space occupied by district
		
			 District M(37) 
		
		
			 Brent Harrow and Hillingdon 28,403 
			 Central London(36) 67,399 
			 City and East London 22,061 
			 Lambeth Southwark and Wandsworth 44,471 
			 North East London 25,102 
			 North London 18,683 
			 South East London 16,162 
			 South London 37,510 
			 West London 26,778 
			 London Government Office Region 286,569 
		
	
	(36) Central London includes the areas covered by the London Boroughs of Islington Camden, City of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea.
	Notes
	The districts are Jobcentre Plus districts. Figures include space occupied by all DWP businesses.

Departmental Advertising

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the total expenditure on (a) information campaigns and (b) advertising was for his Department in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what the total expenditure on information campaigns and advertising was for his Department for each year since 1997.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001. Between that date and March 2003, the Department spent a total of 35,031,354 alerting people to their rights, responsibilities and entitlements through information campaigns. Of this sum, 18,788,328 was spent on advertising using television, radio, cinema and press media. Information broken down by year is in the table.
	
		
		
			  Total publicity costs Advertising costs 
		
		
			 June 2001 to March 2002 22,727,979 13,787,594 
			 April 2002 to March 2003 12,303,375 5,000,734 
			 Totals 35,031,354 18,788,328 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Machinery of Government changes during the period 1997 to 2001 mean that like-for-like figures are not obtainable without disproportionate cost. During this time communications activity was accounted for under different systems in the agencies, Headquarters and the Department for Education and Employment, part of which transferred to the Department for Work and Pensions.
	2. All costs exclude VAT
	3. Advertising costs are total publicity costs excluding all production costs.
	4. Information campaigns costing under 250,000 have not been included as a disproportionate cost would be incurred in compiling these figures.

Departmental Staff

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of staff employed within his Department are over 55 years of age; and what (a) number and (b) percentage of staff recruited over the last 12 months are over 55 years of age.

Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Douglas Alexander) on 20 January 2004, Official Report, volume 416, column 113034W.

Departmental Staff Sickness

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) total number of days lost due to staff sickness and (b) average number of days off sick per member of staff in his Department and each of its executive agencies was in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.
	
		Table 1Sickness absence information for DWP and the former DSS
		
			 Department Year Working days lost Working days available Average number of workingdays Lost 
		
		
			 DSS 19992000 1,057,549.2 22,086,808.8 12.0 
			 DSS 200001 1,085,307.5 22,024,101.1 12.3 
			 DSS 200102 1,039,208.8 22,895,495.2 11.3 
			 DWP 200203 1,674,435.3 34,054,324.0 12.3 
		
	
	
		Table 2Sickness absence information for the DWP businesses in 200203
		
			 Business Working Days Lost Working Days Available Average Number of WorkingDays Lost 
		
		
			 Child Support Agency 147,761.9 2,891,913.6 12.8 
			 Disability and Carers Service 93,163.4 1,928,378.8 12.1 
			 Jobcentre Plus 1,141,339.7 21,987,970.3 13.0 
			 Pension Service 139,165.4 3,504,399.6 9.9 
			 Appeals Service 12,099.3 237,570.5 12.7 
		
	
	Notes
	1. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was created in June 2001. Due to the migration of businesses into and out of the newly forming Department, and differences in calculation methods, figures for the Department as a whole are only available from April 2002.
	2. The information in table 1 covers the years April 1999 to March 2002 relating to the former Department of Social Security (DSS), the main predecessor Department in place prior to the formation of DWP, and for DWP for April 2002 to March 2003.
	3. Figures have been provided for DSS and DWP for each full operational year since 1999. Sickness absence information for the current year, April 2003 to March 2004, will be available in spring 2004.
	4. The information in table 2 relates to the DWP businesses for the period April 2002 to March 2003.
	5. The number of working days lost and working days available recorded for the DWP businesses in table 2 do not match the total figures for DWP in table 1. This is because the figures in table 2 relate only to the current DWP businesses.

Disability Living Allowance

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 15 December 2003, Official Report, column 690W, on disability living allowance, how many claimants are aged under 60 years in each case.

Maria Eagle: The numbers of DLA claimants, under 60 years of age in the geographical areas requested, are contained in the tables. Since the earlier answer was given, figures for the quarter ending 31 August 2003 have now become available and are set out in the tables.
	
		DLA recipients in Edinburgh local authority by age as at 31 August 2003 -- Thousands
		
			  All Under 60 60 and over 
		
		
			 All 18.7 12.5 6.2 
			 Higher rate care and higher rate mobility 3.0 1.8 1.1 
			 Higher rate care and lower rate mobility 0.9 0.9  
			 Higher rate care only *0.3 *0.2 *0.1 
			 Middle rate care and higher rate mobility 3.1 1.5 1.6 
			 Middle rate care and lower rate mobility 2.5 2.3 *0.2 
			 Middle rate care only 0.6 0.6 *0.1 
			 Lower rate care and higher rate mobility 1.9 1.2 0.7 
			 Lower rate care and lower rate mobility 0.9 0.7 *0.2 
			 Lower rate care only 1.2 1.0 *0.3 
			 Higher rate mobility 3.2 1.6 1.7 
			 Lower rate mobility 0.9 0.7 *0.2 
		
	
	
		DLA recipients in Edinburgh, West by age as at 31 August 2003 -- Thousands
		
			  All Under 60 60 and over 
		
		
			 All 2.6 1.7 0.9 
			 Higher rate care and higher rate mobility *0.3 *0.2 *0.1 
			 Higher rate care and lower rate mobility *0.2 *0.2  
			 Higher rate care only *0.1 *0.1 *0.1 
			 Middle rate care and higher rate mobility *0.4 *0.2 *0.2 
			 Middle rate care and lower rate mobility *0.4 *0.3 *0.1 
			 Middle rate care only *0.1 *0.1  
			 Lower rate care and higher rate mobility *0.3 *0.1 *0.1 
			 Lower rate care and lower rate mobility *0.2 *0.1 *0.1 
			 Lower rate care only *0.2 *0.2  
			 Higher rate mobility *0.3 *0.1 *0.2 
			 Lower rate mobility *0.1 *0.1  
		
	
	
		DLA recipients in Scotland by age as at 31 August 2003 -- Thousands
		
			  All Under 60 60 and over 
		
		
			 All 281.2 172.0 109.2 
			 Higher rate care and higher rate mobility 45.1 26.5 18.6 
			 Higher rate care and lower rate mobility 13.2 11.8 1.4 
			 Higher rate care only 3.7 3.1 0.6 
			 Middle rate care and higher rate mobility 45.5 21.9 23.6 
			 Middle rate care and lower rate mobility 34.1 30.0 4.1 
			 Middle rate care only 8.8 7.5 1.3 
			 Lower rate care and higher rate mobility 34.9 18.1 16.7 
			 Lower rate care and lower rate mobility 13.1 10.7 2.4 
			 Lower rate care only 17.6 12.4 5.2 
			 Higher rate mobility 54.0 21.3 32.7 
			 Lower rate mobility 11.1 8.6 2.6 
		
	
	
		DLA recipients in Great Britain by age as at 31 August 2003 -- Thousands
		
			  All Under 60 60 and over 
		
		
			 All 2,526.7 1,587.5 939.2 
			 Higher rate care and higher rate mobility 385.4 227.8 157.6 
			 Higher rate care and lower rate mobility 113.7 102.5 11.2 
			 Higher rate care only 41.4 35.8 5.6 
			 Middle rate care and higher rate mobility 372.6 189.4 183.2 
			 Middle rate care and lower rate mobility 294.2 263.4 30.8 
			 Middle rate care only 103.7 90.8 12.9 
			 Lower rate care and higher rate mobility 344.7 183.8 160.9 
			 Lower rate care and lower rate mobility 110.6 89.2 21.4 
			 Lower rate care only 190.8 136.7 54.2 
			 Higher rate mobility 467.5 188.3 279.2 
			 Lower rate mobility 102.1 80.0 22.1 
		
	
	Source:
	IAD Information Centre.

Disability Living Allowance

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost would be of increasing the upper age limit on claiming disability living allowance to (i) 70, (ii) 75 and (iii) 80 years; what estimate he has made of the likely number of beneficiaries; and what take-up assumptions are made in this calculation.

Maria Eagle: The requested information is not available. The effect of increasing the upper age limit for claims to Disability Living Allowance would be to enable people aged 65 and over to claim and qualify for the mobility component and the lowest rate care component of the allowance. Entitlement to these and the other components of the allowance can be reliably established after a claim has only been made and the mobility and care needs of the customer assessed. There are no reliable data available on which estimates could be made of the number of people aged 65 and over who might be entitled to either the mobility component or the lowest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance if they were to make a claim. The higher and middle rate care components of Disability Living Allowance have the same entitlement conditions as Attendance Allowance which is available to people aged 65 and over when they claim help with their disability-related extra costs.

EU Enlargement

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what entitlement to pension credit nationals of the EU accession countries will have if they come to live in the United Kingdom.

Malcolm Wicks: Under European law, a national of a member state must generally enjoy the same access to social security benefits as a national of the state of residence. Entitlement to income-related benefits and pension credit is subject to the habitual residence test, which nationals of the EU accession countries would need to satisfy. This acts as a deterrent to benefit tourism.

Incapacity Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people claimed incapacity benefit in each year since 1997, broken down by the condition that enables them to claim this benefit; and if he will make a statement on trends in claims.

Maria Eagle: The overall number of people claiming Incapacity Benefit (IB) has risen from 2.37 million in August 1997 to 2.4 million in August 2003; this slight increase reflects a number of factors such as demography and changes in the characteristics of those claiming. The rate at which the caseload is increasing has been reduced dramatically and, in recent years, people with mental health disorders are the only broad category of diagnosis not to see a reduction in the numbers claiming.
	Pathways to WorkHelping people into employment, published November 2002, set out a strategy for enabling people on IB to move into work. The first tranche of three pilot areas (Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff; Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Argyll and Bute; and Derbyshire) went live from October 2003; indications after the first seven weeks are very encouraging, with positive feedback from customers and over 150 people moving back into work. A further tranche of four areas (Gateshead and South Tyneside; Somerset; Essex; and East Lancashire) are on track to go live in April.
	The information is in the table.
	
		Incapacity Benefit claimants by Diagnosis group in each August quarter -- Thousands
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 All 2,369.8 2,301.7 2,275.3 2,286.2 2,337.8 2,377.0 2,400.5 
			 Claimants without any diagnosis code on the system 11.7 9.3 5.4 10.0 7.4 4.9 5.0 
			 Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases 16.7 17.2 17.2 17.6 18.0 17.6 18.6 
			 Neoplasms 26.1 26.4 28.7 30.1 32.2 33.5 34.6 
			 Diseases of the Blood and Blood forming organs and certaindiseases involving the immune mechanism 3.5 3.7 3.4 3.6 4.0 3.9 4.1 
			 Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases 43.3 40.8 38.9 36.8 36.3 35.6 35.2 
			 Mental and Behavioural Disorders 594.5 631.2 676.0 718.7 771.8 833.0 878.9 
			 Diseases of the Nervous System 110.1 111.2 111.2 112.6 116.4 122.5 126.2 
			 Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa 14.1 13.7 13.7 13.4 14.2 14.7 14.3 
			 Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process 9.5 9.7 9.3 8.9 9.2 9.9 10.0 
			 Diseases of the Circulatory System 264.0 235.3 213.9 195.9 187.4 179.1 169.0 
			 Diseases of the Respiratory System 91.6 84.1 77.7 71.8 70.4 66.4 63.5 
			 Diseases of the Digestive System 41.1 40.4 39.9 40.3 41.2 40.2 39.6 
			 Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous System 16.4 16.0 16.1 15.9 16.3 15.4 13.6 
			 Diseases of the Musculoskeletal system and Connective Tissue 595.9 569.2 549.1 536.3 535.3 521.2 508.3 
			 Diseases of the Genitourinary System 19.2 18.5 18.0 17.8 17.9 17.5 17.3 
			 Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Puerperium 4.7 4.7 4.4 4.1 4.2 4.7 4.4 
			 Certain Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period
			 Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromasomal Abnormalities 2.4 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.9 5.1 5.6 
			 Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified : 332.9 300.4 281.9 274.7 274.8 272.0 270.8 
			 Injury, Poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes 148.6 141.3 142.8 147.9 149.5 150.2 149.5 
			 Factors influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services 23.5 25.8 24.8 27.0 28.4 29.5 30.1 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred and are expressed in thousands. Totals may not sum due to founding.
	2. Numbers are based on 5 per cent. samples, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.
	3. All diagnoses are coded using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, published by the World Health Organisation.
	Source:
	DWPIAD Information Centre 5 per cent. Samples

Leak Inquiries

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list occasions on which his Department has conducted an inquiry into alleged leaks from members of staff since 1997; and if he will list the occasions on which the names of those persons accused of leaking information from his Department have been made public (a) by the Government and (b) by way of another source.

Maria Eagle: Since April 1997, the Department has conducted an investigation into a suspected leak of sensitive information on 31 occasions.
	In line with exemptions 1(a) and 7(b) set out in Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it has been the practice of successive governments not to comment on the outcome of such inquiries in order to safeguard security and investigative arrangements. However, I can confirm that the Department has not made public the name of any individual under investigation. I am not aware of any disclosure by other sources.

Low-income Households

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many children (a) in England and (b) in each English region there were in households with income below half of the national average (i) before housing costs and (ii) after housing costs in each year since 199495.

Chris Pond: The latest available information relating to the financial year 200102 can be found in the publication 'Households Below Average Income 199405 to 200102', a copy of which is available in the Library.
	Year-on-year comparisons of this information at a regional level are not advisable as changes are likely to be small in relation to sampling variation. Results for English regions are presented as percentages of children, not numbers; this is because the data does not provide robust estimates of numbers at this level.

Pension Credit

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners were in recept of pension credit in Scotland as at (a) 31 October 2003, (b) 30th November 2003 and (c) 31 December 2003.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is not available for 31 October. The information for 17 October, 30 November and 31 December is given in the table.
	
		Recipients of Pension Credit, Scotland, OctoberDecember 2003
		
			 17 October 2003 30 November 2003 31 December 2003 
		
		
			 Households Individuals Households Individuals Households Individuals 
			 201,555 234,835 217,065 255,575 223,060 263,290 
		
	
	Notes
	1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest five.
	2. Figures relate to the Geographical Government Office Region (GOR) of Scotland.

Pensioner Couples

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners who receive the basic state pension live together as man and wife but claim two single pension entitlements; what estimate he has made of the additional cost to the Exchequer of such claims compared with the cost if such people claimed only the married persons' entitlement; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: An individual's entitlement to state pension depends on the national insurance contributions paid during his or her working life. however, for married couples, provision is made for a spouse to become entitled to a state pension based on the other spouse's national insurance contributions. There is no such thing as married persons' entitlements. Therefore, we are unable to provide the information requested.

Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the annual cost of increasing the state pension in line with the usual UK uprating for UK citizens who reside in countries where their UK state pension is frozen.

Malcolm Wicks: To bring everyone up to the current rate of State Pension they would receive if they had remained in the UK, but not to pay arrears, could cost around 400 million in 200304.
	Note
	Costs have been calculated using March 2003 Retirement Pension administrative data and the latest HMT Economic Assumptions.

Procurement (Outsourcing)

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on his Department's procurement policy with regard to offshore IT and call centre outsourcing; whether his Department is outsourcing IT and call centre jobs to offshore companies; to which countries his Department has outsourced these jobs; how much his Department has spent on this outsourcing in each of the last two years; and how much has been budgeted for this purpose for the next two years.

Des Browne: The Department has no plans to outsource to countries abroad work performed by DWP call centre staff. The Department contracts for IT delivery work with IT providers, many of whom are worldwide organisations. There have been no specific IT contracts targeted offshore.

Progress2Work

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what proportion of the 40 million allocated to Progress2Work has been spent;
	(2)  what the average cost is of each Progress2Work participant who has been found sustained employment;
	(3)  what percentage of participants in Progress2Work have been placed in sustained employment.

Des Browne: In April 2001, 40 million was allocated to enable Jobcentre Plus to develop Progress2Work provision. To date approximately 22.5 per cent. of this budget has been spent.
	7,797 people had started Progress2Work by the end of November 2003. Of these 1,402 people had been helped into work; 968 were still receiving in work support from their provider and a further 434 were in sustained employment. This represents 5.6 per cent. of the total participants.
	Progress2Work is an evolving programme, phased in over 3 stages, with over 50 per cent. of participants joining in the last 6 months. The final phase contracts are still being put in place. The cost of a job and sustained job outcome will continue to drop as more participants move into employment. Currently costs per job outcome come out at 7,229 and at 23,136 per sustainable job.
	Progress2Work has been effective at helping this very disadvantaged group back into employment. The proportion of current participants who are in supported job outcomes is approximately 20 per cent. Additionally there is also a consistent increase in the numbers moving from Progress2Work into employment. Costs and outcomes for Progress2Work have not yet stabilised as the programme is still developing.

Transfer Payments

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of transfer payments, including social security benefits and tax credits directed at children and at people of working age, was in each year since 199192; and what projections have been made for the cost in (a) 200304 and (b) future years.

Chris Pond: The information for social security benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions is shown in the table, and is consistent with forecasts published in the pre-Budget Report on 10 December 2003.
	The information is drawn from DWP's Benefit Expenditure Table 5 (Benefit expenditure by age-based client group, Great Britain, 199192 to 200506), which may be found on the Department for Work and Pensions website at: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/ expenditure, asp. Forecasts of expenditure will next be updated at Budget 2004.
	Tax credit expenditure and forecasts, and child benefit expenditure and forecasts from 200304 onwards, are the responsibility of the Inland Revenue.
	
		 million
		
			  Children(37) People of working age 
		
		
			 Outturn   
			 199192 8,411 22,342 
			 199293 9,767 26,727 
			 199394 10,676 30,035 
			 199495 10,827 31,251 
			 199596 11,277 32,913 
			 199697 11,659 33,640 
			 199798 11,816 32,791 
			 199899 12,105 32,685 
			 19992000 13,129 31,989 
			 200001 13,144 31,215 
			 200102 13,729 31,827 
			 Estimated outturn   
			 200203 14,386 32,421 
			 Plans   
			 200304 5,410 33,251 
			 200405 4,022 34,296 
			 200506 1,802 35,515 
		
	
	(37) Spending on children drops in 200304 as a result of the transfer of child benefit to the Inland Revenue; during 200304 and 200405, spending on children is also reduced by the transfer of child elements of income support and income-based jobseekers allowance to child tax credit.

War Disablement Pensioners

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the 10 earnings disregard for war disablement pensioners applying for income-related benefits was last uprated; what the value of the disregard would be on 1 April had it been uprated in line with the Rossi Index; and how many war disablement pensioners are benefiting from the 10 earnings disregard.

Malcolm Wicks: There is no specific earnings disregard for people receiving a war pension, although they can benefit from the standard disregards available to anyone claiming undertaking part-time work while claiming an income-related benefit.
	However, in recognition of the special nature of war disablement pension, there is a disregard of these payments when assessing entitlement to income-related benefits. This was set at 5 when income support was introduced in April 1988, and would currently stand at 8.15 had it been uprated in line with the Rossi index; it was increased to its current level of 10 in April 1990, and carried over at the same level for the new pension credit when it was introduced in October 2003.
	In the case of housing benefit and council tax benefit, most local authorities disregard war pensions in full and all but two disregard more than the statutory 10; from April this year, local authorities will get extra subsidy of up to 75 per cent. for any local discretionary scheme they operate.
	The most recent figures show that 8,800 income support recipients benefit from the 10 disregard; the number of people receiving jobseekers allowance (income based) who benefit from this disregard is nil or negligible. Figures are not yet available for pension credit.
	Note:
	Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and are based on a 5 per cent. sample so are subject to a degree of sampling variation.
	Source:
	DWP Information Centre, 5 per cent. sample

Winter Fuel Payments

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland qualify for the winter fuel payment; how many individuals in each receives a winter fuel payment; and what the estimated expenditure on winter fuel payment was in each country in 200304.

Malcolm Wicks: Full information about payments made this winter will not be available until after 30 March, the final date for submitting claims. It is not possible to say how many households will qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment, or how many individuals will receive a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 200304.
	However based on the figures for 200203 we estimate the expenditure on Winter Fuel Payments for winter 200304 to be as follows:
	
		Forecast expenditure on Winter Fuel Payments for 200304 --  million
		
			 Country Forecast Expenditure  
		
		
			 England 1,610 
			 Wales 100 
			 Scotland 170 
			 Northern Ireland 50 
		
	
	Note:
	Costs rounded to the nearest 10 million.